KOTA KINABALU – Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has nominated himself as a prime ministerial candidate, saying he has no qualms taking up the country’s highest elected post, if that is what “the people want”.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Shafie, who is also Semporna MP and Warisan president, said his experience as an old hand in both federal and state politics makes him a suitable candidate for the job.
“Given the chance, if people of this country want us to become (prime minister), our intention is to build the nation and unite her people.
“We are divided by the South China Sea, race, religion, towns and many more.
“I have served so many ministries – unity, culture, rural, domestic trade, defence, information and cooperative.
“I have gone through the process, from being a secretary, parliamentarian, I have served others and people had also served me when I was minister.
"But if this is what the people want, why not?”
After the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government last year, Shafie was nominated to be the country’s next prime minister by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
As politicians, you must have good intentions to build the nation... if you are able to do it, why not?
Shafie’s allies, DAP and Amanah, also threw their weight behind the veteran Sabah politician but then, he noted he wasn’t ready then.
“I told them, ‘wait, as I wanted to administer Sabah first’. We (Warisan) needed to unite Sabah at the time.
“But they (Dr Mahathir, DAP and Amanah) had already voiced out their views at the time. But if this is what they want, it is not a problem.
“Then, we have to face all obstacles,” Shafie said, referring to issues such as the Covid-19 crisis and unemployment, among others.
He added that there is no reason the prime minister post should not go to someone from East Malaysia, Shafie said.
“As politicians, you must have good intentions to build the nation... if you are able to do it, why not?
“I’m certain that, if we can focus all our energy, not just from Sabah, Sarawak also can if given the room and chance to lead the country.” – The Vibes, March 16, 2021
