KOTA KINABALU – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin ended his two-day official visit to Sabah promising to end the Covid-19 pandemic and revive the economy – but steered clear of the “Allah” and Malaysia Agreement 1963 issues, preferring to talk more on socio-economic matters.
The “Allah” issue emerged following Putrajaya’s move to appeal a high court decision allowing the use of the word Allah in non-Muslim publications.
There were also no talks over Putrajaya’s attempt to introduce a new law to control and curb the propagation of non-Muslim religion.
On politics, Muhyiddin made it clear on his refusal to respond to detractors weakening his Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.
“The only solution is to hold an election, and I will return the mandate to the people when the time is right,” he said.
The prime minister also said that he would emulate what the previous Sabah government had done, which includes holding a poll rather than seeing it being handed over like the Sheraton move.
Muhyiddin – who became prime minister on March 1, 2020 – is on shaky ground as political ally Umno and Barisan Nasional threaten his grip on the top post.
The PN leader is said to have agreed to talks to return more revenue from oil and gas back to Sabah, as well as to honour Sabah and Sarawak rights in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said that both federal and state governments are now in talks to return such rights back to Sabah.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin took time off to visit ordinary Sabahans at Tanjung Aru and Kg Sembulan Tengah.
They included Wong Onn Li @ Fauziah and Nur Zawani Jesim in Tg Aru who were categorised as Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) recipients under the B40 category.
According to restaurant worker Wong On Mui, 50 – a relative of both recipients – the family knew of the visit to their home since last Thursday.
“We were nervous, but also happy that we were chosen.
“I still find it hard to believe that this is the first time our low-cost flats were chosen to receive the PM’s visit.
“He (PM) told us to take care of our health and abide by the SOPs,” she said.
She said they had also received food baskets and monetary contributions from the authorities. – The Vibes, March 22, 2021
Additional reporting by Neil Chan
