KOTA KINABALU – When it comes to politics, Sabah leaders know better than to ruffle feathers unnecessarily.
This was evident when the leaders from the opposition and ruling parties congregated for a short walkabout at the Gaya Street Fair today.
Among them were Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who coincidentally ran into Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai and DAP’s Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin, who were also doing their Chinese New Year walkabouts.
Such an event is a rare occasion and could only happen during the festive and election season.
“Meeting people should not be a seasonal thing and when we do meet up with each other, we cannot go about hating each other due to our political differences,” said Shafie when asked about his meeting with the other politicians.
Also present were Datuk Azis Jamman, Tg Aru rep Datuk Junz Wong from Warisan, Likas DAP assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt, Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim and Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai from PBS.
Shafie said political leaders can express their hostility in Parliament when they are fighting for their constituents, but not out on the streets where they are meeting with the people.
Yee meanwhile said he is glad to see the other parties present at the fair, saying that last night, it was the non-governmental organisations that were on the ground meeting the people.
He said this is a good sign that the communities in Sabah are now reconverging, an indication that Covid-19 is being managed well.
Chan said he was distributing some 5,000 goodies raised by his parliamentary office.
“This is the tradition practised by us this time around. It is sort of giving back to the community who had supported us for so long,” he said.
During the walkabout, PBS leader Joniston Bangkuai and Matunggong assemblyman Julita Mojungki, who is also an assistant minister, greeted Shafie. – The Vibes, January 23, 2022
