KOTA KINABALU – Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan has brushed aside a suggestion by Umno’s Tan Sri Annuar Musa for PAS to be included in the Sabah state assembly by having an appointed assemblyman.
“That’s his own opinion,” he told reporters after clocking in on his first day as state agriculture and food industries minister at Wisma Pertanian here.
Earlier this week, Supreme Council member Annuar, in response to a Sinar Harian report, tweeted that he believes one of the state’s six nominated assemblymen should be from the Islamist party.
Sabahans have reacted angrily to this, with a petition created to oppose such an appointment.
Among those voicing their opposition is Sabah Wanita DAP Chief Jannie Lasimbang, who said PAS’ extremist views are detrimental to the state.
Jeffrey said there has been a lot of fake news on state cabinet appointments.
“I’ve heard a lot of rumours, read a lot of fake news.
“I know (it’s fake news) because the person who will be appointed is somebody else. It’s all fake news designed to create hate and disharmony.
“We have to be careful with what we read in the news and on social media.”
On grouses over the lack of Chinese representation in the state cabinet, he said the community itself does not want one of their own in the line-up.
However, the Sabah Star president stressed that no community will be left behind.
“Yes, there has been talk like that... I mean, the Chinese (community) didn’t want (their) people in the cabinet.
“But we don’t have to worry about that because we will look at all these angles, including the Chinese angle.”
He said the inter-district travel ban in the state should not pose financial issues to Sabahans, pointing to RM50 million that has been approved by the state government as Covid-19 aid, with RM10 million of the amount allocated especially for those most affected. – The Vibes, October 2, 2020
