Ongkili: Warisan-led govt is doing nothing but damaging Sabah, cancelling aid

Former federal minister Maximus Ongkili says current government has just been warming their seats and done nothing to be proud of.

PBS deputy president Maximus Ongkili says new state government has damaged the state and withdrawn assistance that had benefited the people. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: The Parti Warisan Sabah-led state government came under attack today from an opposition leader who dismissed it as not having done anything new or beneficial in its first 60 days in power.

Instead, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Maximus Ongkili said, the new state government had damaged the state and withdrawn assistance that benefited the people.

“In short, there is nothing to be proud about of this 60-day-old current government.

“All they did was warm their seats. Instead of creating concrete solutions, the Sabah Cabinet has been disturbing policy decisions that benefited the people,” he said.

He slammed the government announcement on giving out citizenship to 200,000 people, the regulation of illegal foreign workers and cancellation of the award of native land communal titles.

Ongkili, who is Kota Marudu MP, stressed that these so-called “solutions” were hampering development in the state.

“The implementation of the state government’s policies must be explained clearly to the people.

“It (implementation) must be transparent and done according to the existing laws and regulations,” he said.

Ongkili also questioned the legitimacy of the state government, saying it was being contested in court, referring to a suit filed by former chief minister Musa Aman challenging the validity of the appointment of current chief minister Shafie Apdal.

He said until the state government’s legitimacy was settled, PBS members should stick with the party, and added: “Do not run away from our core struggles … please stay steady, jangan lari (don’t run).”

He advised PBS members and supporters to be steadfast and continue to reject the current government until the court decided its status.

“PBS will continue to speak up and take appropriate legal action to ensure our laws and regulations are not broken, especially involving the rights of genuine Sabahans,” he said. - FMT Reporters