KOTA KINABALU – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is Sabah Pakatan Harapan’s sole candidate for prime minister.
Chapter chairman Datuk Christina Liew said the question of whom it will support should not have arisen, as all components endorsed the “Port Dickson declaration” recently.
The declaration includes supporting only Anwar as prime minister if the coalition wins the 15th general election, Liew told The Vibes.
“All the parties agree that Anwar, being PH chairman, will be the sole person for the prime minister’s position. All component parties under PH – PKR, DAP and Amanah – have unanimously agreed to the Port Dickson declaration.”
The issue of PH’s pick for opposition chief and prime minister became muddied following reports that Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal expressed interest in the top post, and the party itself seemingly disassociating from PH.
Warisan is not a member of, but friendly to, the coalition, in a partnership started before the 2018 general election.
Sabah DAP recently made clear that the state PH’s choice of prime minister is in Liew’s hands, given her post.
Secretary-general Chan Foong Hin said Anwar is naturally Sabah DAP’s choice for the prime minister’s post, but it may also support Shafie, described as being equally qualified.
He said talk of Warisan disassociating itself from PH has been “over-interpreted”, adding that the coalition and party are still communicating.
On Chan’s comment, Liew said such decisions are not only hers to make.
Anwar as prime minister is a consensus reached between allies, she said.
“We (components) always meet before deciding on issues, together. We also endorse and support the Port Dickson declaration as Sabah PH.
“At the latest meeting last week, Chan, who was present, was supportive of the declaration.”
Liew said Sabah PH is open to working or cooperating with any party that shares its goals, so as to achieve the best results for the people.
She also rubbished claims that she has yet to return to her parliamentary constituency, Tawau.
Liew said she has made frequent trips there following the state polls last September.
“I go back to Tawau on a regular basis, and each time I return, I stay over two weeks. I visit the villages and hand out aid, as well as milk powder for the babies.
“Even if I am not around, my parliamentary office staff are still there assisting residents.”
A news portal yesterday quoted a Facebook user, one “Rahman Imuda”, as saying his WhatsApp messages to Liew have gone unanswered.
“Actually, at the start of the pandemic, I did not see a clear effort from the Tawau MP to help those in need.
“I suggest that if you can’t act for the people of Tawau in these difficult times, then don’t contest again,” he said, adding that Liew’s last appearance in the constituency was during the Sabah election last year.
The lawmaker has been criticised over her inaction after seven people, including two local activists, were arrested for holding a peaceful demonstration in Tawau’s Kg Muhibbahraya on Saturday. – The Vibes, April 26, 2021
