Dr Yusof supports proposal for Shafie Apdal to be PM

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Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob

KOTA KINABALU: It is high time for a leader from East Malaysia to be Malaysia’s Prime Minister and lead the country towards a new vision, says Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) Information chief Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.

Commenting on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposal of Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal as the Pakatan Harapan’s choice for prime minister, Dr Yusof said there are several logical reasons behind the suggestion.

“First of all, since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, there was already such a proposal by influential, experienced, politically savvy leaders from Peninsular Malaysia who put Malaysia on the world stage.

“This is not the voice of Tun Dr Mahathir alone but also from many leaders in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

According to the Education and Innovation Minister, Malaysians are bored with the political turmoil in Peninsular Malaysia and the country.

The people, he opined, think that it is high time for a leader from East Malaysia to be the country’s Prime Minister.

The Sindumin assemblyman pointed out that Shafie is a veteran politician at both state and federal level as he held posts in Umno Youth movement, was a divisional leader, the party’s Supreme Council member and a vice president.

“Datuk Seri Shafie has vast experience in the country’s administration as he held several ministerial portfolios. He was also president of the Commonwealth Parliament based in London and attended international political events.

“His exposure to the international arena is also vast as he was part of Malaysia’s delegations to other countries where he took part in two way meetings in several areas such as commerce, economy, defence and security,” Dr Yusof said adding that Shafie is a well known political figure in Malaysia as well as globally.

Dr Yusof said people in Sabah and Sarawak have been waiting for 57 years to hear a proposal like this because they were never given the opportunity in the past.

“Prime Minister from East Malaysia? Don’t even think about it because there was no opportunity to even be appointed Deputy Prime Minister.

“Therefore now is the time for the leaders and rakyat in Sabah and Sarawak from all political parties to support Datuk Seri Shafie as the Prime Minister of Malaysia,” he said.

He added that it is logical for a leader from East malaysia  to be given the opportunity to lead the country because all this while, Sabah and Sarawak have played a huge role in developing the country through their revenue from the oil and gas produced.