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The appointment of a PAS leader in the Sabah legislative assembly has been described as “unfortunate” by Parti Solidariti President Tanah Airku (Star) Jeffrey Kitingan, as it had opened the state government to criticism and ridicule from the opposition. .
Kitingan and Star, part of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, had come under severe criticism on social media for failing to stop the appointment of Sabah PAS secretary Aliakbar Gulasan.
Aliakbar was one of six people named as unelected Sabah legislators today by Chief Minister Hajiji Mohd Noor.
Kitingan in a statement, made it clear that the appointment was the prerogative of the prime minister and “Star stands firm in its principle that any party whose ideals are not compatible with the multicultural values and the sensibilities of Sabah must be rejected and rejected.”
“PAS leaders have repeatedly issued statements that altered the feelings and sentiments of multicultural and multi-religious Sabah.
“Sabahans do not need a political party to teach them about unity between religions.
“Sabah is the shining example of multi-religious unity, alongside our neighbor Sarawak,” he said in his statement, congratulating the appointment of the new assembly president, five new ministers of state, 18 assistant ministers and six appointed assembly members.
Kitingan, who is now a deputy minister in the GRS government, also made it clear that his statement should not be construed as an attack on Aliakbar’s personality.
“I am aware of the public disapproval of the statement of a PAS leader recently when the latter made erroneous and sensitive comments on the Bible in Parliament,” he said, referring to MP Pasir Puteh Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh.
“The comment deeply offended Christians in Sabah and Sarawak and Aliakbar, like Sabahan, is in touch with the reality of Sabah.
“However, I would like to emphasize here that the appointment of designated assembly members is the prerogative of the prime minister.
“Aliakbar is an appointed assemblyman without ministerial functions. He has not been appointed to the Ministry of Native Affairs and Law as rumored by DAP and Warisan.
Kitingan then appealed to Sabahans to remain calm and not surrender “to the mockery and insults that the opposition throws at them.”
“Playing politics all the time would get us nowhere.”
In today’s appointment, Star received an additional ministerial position with Ellron Angin appointed Minister of Youth and Sports.
Parti Bersatu Sabah chairman Maximus Johnity Ongkili also said it was important for his party to maintain its position that there was no need to set a precedent for the PAS appointment given concerns in the religious arena.
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