Warisan is completely directionless, has no regard for public opinion, says PBS

KADAMAIAN - Former state deputy speaker Johnny Mositun claims recent developments in Sabah clearly prove the Warisan-led state government has no regard at all for the feelings and sensitivities of the people.

Addressing Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) members at a party divisional meeting here, Mositun, who is PBS secretary-general, said even after five months’ in power, the new administration still had no concrete agenda for Sabah.

“The state government is completely directionless and totally focused on rewarding cronies and political supporters with ministerial posts, directorships and chairmanships.

“It has nothing to show except for harping on and repeating things like oil rights, Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and lots of rhetoric.

“The ministers seem busy thinking up projects to implement in a hurry. Looks to me like they are making hay while the sun shines.”

Mositun said it was shocking how Shafie could make a U-turn over coal mining and coal-fired power plant issues without a care for the feelings of the people.

“Surely, he knows how Sabahans rallied across communal and political divides to oppose these projects some years back.

“It was then decided to utilise natural gas from Kimanis and build a gas-fired power plant.

“Now, he is mute in the face of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposal to reverse everything without even asking Sabahans how they feel about it.

“What sort of a government is this?”

Recently, Mahathir had spoken against generating power through nuclear power because of the dangers from nuclear plants and its waste.

He said Malaysia would still depend on coal to produce electricity as Malaysia still has a lot of it.

“Not only in Batu Arang, but also in Sabah and Sarawak,” he had said.

Mositun said it was the same with the proposed Papar Dam, which was nothing more than a rehash of the Kaiduan Dam project that the people had opposed during the BN administration.

“It was Warisan leaders like deputy president Darell Leiking and treasurer Terence Siambun, among others, who said dams were unnecessary.

“Now I hear it’s not just the Papar Dam. Three or four others are to be built.”

Mositun said it was hypocritical of the Warisan-led government to be embarking on an agenda of quickly appointing politicians and supporters as chairmen, CEOs and directors of government-linked companies and key agencies.

This was despite the prime minister and PH leaders loudly condemning the BN for appointing politicians to head GLC’s and even foreign missions.