KOTA KINABALU – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has taken a swipe at Barisan Nasional’s (BN) proposal to appoint three deputy prime ministers, including one from Sabah, saying people of the state faced more pressing concerns.
Anwar, who is visiting Sabah, also said Pakatan Harapan had previously made similar offers to Sabahans since 2008.
He also said that Sabahans are still troubled by the lack of water and electricity supply, despite being ruled by BN for decades.
“Is this what BN is offering? But don’t worry, the leader in Sabah will become deputy prime minister,” the PKR president sarcastically said during a party event in Tanjung Aru, here, this evening.
“For the people in Sabah, food is not enough, there are no jobs, and many still face hardships. Why would they care about a deputy prime ministerial post?"
"For me, the biggest problem faced by the people in Sabah and Sarawak is that after decades (of BN rule) they still grapple with unresolved power and water issues.”
Anwar, who is PH chairman, also said the coalition will deliver on its proposal to appoint three deputy prime ministers should it come to power in the upcoming general election (GE15).
According to Bernama, DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng made a similar promise on the appointments should PH take over Putrajaya.
Earlier today, BN president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition will appoint two deputy prime ministers from East Malaysia if BN won GE15.
During the launching of BN’s Gelombang Biru election machinery in Kimanis today, Zahid said there is nothing wrong in having a total of three deputy prime ministers with one each from Sabah, Sarawak, and the peninsula.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Anwar also warned political leaders against inciting divisive state sentiments in the general election.
He said the coming polls are about electing a government that could bring forth good governance, adding that PH leaders from Sabah are already vocal on state issues.
Anwar noted that this is not the case for Sabah leaders from Perikatan Nasional and BN.
“They only take the timber and contracts that benefit a certain group of people,” he said of his political rivals riding on sentiments against leaders in the peninsula.
“When we asked them about these things, they accused the people from the peninsula of taking all of the state’s wealth.”
Also present were United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation vice president Datuk Ewon Benedick, Sabah DAP leader Chan Foong Hin, and Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Sangkar Rasam, among others. – The Vibes, October 23, 2022
Editor’s note: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, has subsequently issued a statement to state that Anwar meant two and not three deputy prime ministers.
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