We need Putrajaya support, Sabah Bersatu chief slams Shafie’s comments

KOTA KINABALU – Warisan’s assertion that Sabah does not need federal backing is a big lie, said Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor yesterday.

It appears to be a jab against Warisan president and caretaker chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

“They say if Sabah doesn't support Kuala Lumpur, the state will face hard times. But what if the state stops giving its oil and gas, then Kuala Lumpur instead will face a hard time. Am I right?” Shafie had said during his campaign trail in Sandakan two days ago.

Hajiji, the Sulaman incumbent, said Shafie’s comments go against the spirit of being in one nation. 

“It’s nothing but a big lie. If Warisan leaders think this way, then it is just a lie. We have to be cooperative with Putrajaya. 

“We will face numerous problems – from running state affairs to federal aid. In the end, the one losing is the people of Sabah.”

Political parties only have two days to campaign before Sabahans cast their ballots on Saturday.

Hajiji said Sabah needs development aid to boost its roads, and water and electricity supply. 

He added Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has given priority to restoring state rights as stipulated in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963. 

When asked on PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that the Perikatan Nasional federal government has collapsed, Hajiji said he needs to find out more on the before giving his views.

He added that it was nothing but a “political gimmick”. – The Vibes, September 24, 2020