Shafie’s ‘poisoned apple’: Armada leader warns Kadazandusun Murut politicians

KOTA KINABALU – A Bersatu Youth leader has urged Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) politicians in the state not to fall for Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s allegedly selfish political agenda.

Armada vice-chief Caesar Mandela said the controversy stems from the former chief minister engaging in “bait-and-divide” politics.

KDM leaders should be wary of the “olive branch” offered purportedly on the pretext of the good of Sabah, he warned.

“Obviously, he (Shafie) has been engaging in bait-and-divide politics in an attempt to cause a rift among leaders within the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, and consequently, destabilise the state government. 

“Perhaps, it is more of a poisoned apple that Shafie is offering to slither his way back to power,” said Mandela here yesterday. 

Earlier this month, Sabah politics was jolted when Shafie expressed interest in working with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), whose president, Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, responded positively.

Controversy erupted when an audio clip claiming the state will see another power shift based on PBS-Warisan cooperation went viral.

Ongkili later changed his statement, saying it is best for Warisan to work with federal ruling pact Perikatan Nasional on the national level, as it is difficult for PBS to work with the party due to differences in certain political ideologies. 

Mandela, who is also political secretary to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, reminded of the wrongs committed by Warisan when it controlled the state from May 2018 to September last year.

He cited as an example the Temporary Sabah Pass programme, where the then federal government had planned to introduce standard identification papers for migrant holders of the IMM13 document in the state, but it was scrapped by the Warisan administration.

The Warisan government also went to the extent of offering an island to migrants, he said, an idea that was abandoned following strong opposition.

Mandela said such wrong moves by Warisan have united KDM parties in Sabah and hardened their resolve to never allow the party back in power.

The KDM parties referred to are PBS, Sabah Star and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, which are part of GRS.

“We all know what happened in the 16th Sabah election last year. The majority of Sabahans voted out Shafie’s Warisan-led government,” said Mandela.

“We must never forget that KDM voters played a key role in the demise of Shafie’s regime. 

“They (Warisan) obviously underestimated KDM communities, and were overconfident about capturing many seats in indigenous territories.”

He said Warisan’s political partner, the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), was almost wiped out in the last state polls.

Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau was punished severely by KDM voters, he said.

Madius contested in the Kiulu state seat, where he lost to incumbent Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. 

“Their partner, Upko, was simply powerless, as they did not know how to handle the dissatisfaction and anger of the people towards the Warisan-led government at the time, especially on the illegal immigrant issue,” said Mandela.

“Because it is in the same bed as Warisan, Upko, which was given more seats to contest by Shafie, was punished severely by the KDM.” – The Vibes, May 25, 2021