KOTA KINABALU: The incoming Prime Minister and his Cabinet must prioritise the restoration of the constitutional rights of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the fulfilment of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan.
Kitingan, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president, said that as a local party fighting for Sabah rights, STAR was hopeful that the new person to helm the hot seat would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin, who was openly sympathetic to Sabah and Sarawak’s struggle.
“Ideally, all the local parties in Sabah and Sarawak should work together as one,” he said, in a statement here today.
“It is our opportunity to consolidate our political voice and free ourselves from financial and political dependence on the federal government.”
The Keningau MP was also dismayed by the ongoing political wrangling in the peninsula.
“It is incredibly improper and irresponsible to play politics at a time when we should be doing everything we can to ease the people’s sufferings and boost the economy.
“Unfortunately, things are already in motion. I am hoping for the best possible outcome for Sabah and Sarawak,” Kitingan said.
Earlier today, a source told FMT that the appointment of an interim prime minister, but without a Cabinet, appears to be a possible solution to the current political impasse where no party or MP appears to command majority support.
The source said there were two main groups in the race to be appointed prime minister following Muhyiddin’s resignation – one led by Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the other being the opposition bloc.
The source said the bulk of Bersatu MPs are backing Ismail and this would see a coalition similar to the previous administration.
On the opposition front, the source said the frontrunners are Anwar Ibrahim and Shafie Apdal. -FreeMalaysiaToday
