Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
KOTA KINABALU: The new government wants to concentrate on fulfilling what the people desire and does not want to be bogged down with the formation of Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) and its activities, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Shafie said a majority of the people had made their choice during the recent general election and their voice must be respected.
“Respect the majority, that’s all. Come election, we will face them. Wait for another four to five years. I think, those people, if they want to merge then merge. But the people they merge with are Umno people too,” said Shafie during a working visit to the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) site here yesterday.
“I think the people at large know what’s happening in Sabah. They know what they want. I am sure Sabahans want the way forward.
“What is important for us, the new government, (is) I don’t want to be bogged down with what they (GBS) are doing. What is important now, (is that) the people want jobs.
The economy needs to be enhanced. This is what we stressed on, we must administrate the state in tandem with the desire and demand of the people. They need jobs, they need money to support their family. That is important for us,” he added.
The Chief Minister said there is nothing new about GBS as it is filled with the same people in a new coalition.
“ Aman is an ex-Umno guy. Umno leaders are still there. Nothing new. The same old faces. They didn’t do anything before and eventually the people rejected them. They were quarreling among themselves before, so best wishes to them,” he concluded.
According to GBS interim chairman, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the newly announced alliance, GBS, whose members comprise of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Umno Sabah, State Reform Party (STAR Sabah) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), is ready to take over the current government which until now, has not has its status affirmed.
He also said that GBS will work and cooperate fully with the Pakatan Harapan federal government for the good of Malaysia Baru and Sabah.
He explained that the decision to form GBS, which has yet to be registered, was made following the last general election results and what transpired thereafter.
In terms of structure, the four political parties in GBS have agreed to appoint Pairin as the interim chairman, while the presidents of the respective parties, namely, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, who is PBS deputy president, is tasked to carry out the duties of the party’s president; Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Mohd Noor, who is chairman of Umno Sabah, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is STAR Sabah president, and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, who is the president of PBRS, are appointed as co-chairmen.
Former Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun is appointed as the secretary general, while Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Said Keruak is the treasurer. Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai is appointed as the information chief.
During the coalition’s official launch, Pairin mentioned that it is not known when former Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Musa Aman will return to Sabah but cited that this will occur when the latter is fully recovered.