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KOTA KINABALU: Having a PAS representative as a nominated assemblyman is not a problem as he is not in the state cabinet, says Sabah Senior Deputy Minister Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan (Photo).
The state Agriculture and Fisheries minister said this by dismissing Sabah DAP’s claim that PBS and Sabah STAR, which he led, have failed to stop the inclusion of the PAS representative in the state assembly.
DAP Kapayan Assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang, in response to Sabah PAS Secretary Dr. Aliakbar Gulasan being named as one of six nominated assemblymen allowed by the state constitution, in a statement stated that the presidents of both local parties had denied that this happened.
Furthermore, he challenged them to “do the right thing” and withdraw from the government of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“If you watch the news and videos above, I was commenting on the Minister’s (Legal and Native Affairs) post, that I said it was not true that a PAS representative would hold the position,” Jeffrey said.
“I did not speak of a nominated assembly member, that is another matter. I was more concerned that someone from PAS would occupy a cabinet position.
“For me, it is not a problem, since the nominated assemblyman is a small role,” added the president of Sabah STAR when contacted.
He said that GRS’s basis in naming Aliakbar is likely to have someone from PAS to reflect being part of Perikatan Nasional.
Jeffrey also said that things should be viewed from other angles and not from a “narrow perspective.”
“Sometimes people just see their side and don’t see other points of view,” he added.
On the state’s Legal and Native Affairs portfolio, Jeffrey said the ministry is being abolished and part of the law is being replaced by the Ministry of Special Tasks, which will include the investigation of religious affairs.
“As for native affairs, it will not be a cabinet position, so it is not necessarily an appointed assemblyman … It could be headed by someone from the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association,” he said.
Earlier, there was an outcry from NGOs, opposition leaders, and the public about the possibility of the PAS making its way to the cabinet through the nominated assemblyman post, as the party here is seen as intolerant of other religions.
PBS President Datuk Dr. Maximus Ongkili and other party leaders declined to comment immediately on the inclusion of PAS in the state assembly, while Sabah’s Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor is currently at quarantine and will not make statements.
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