Shafie’s claims on economy just a smokescreen, says Sabah Umno man

Sabah Umno deputy information chief Ramlee Marahaban says Shafie Apdal does not want to be blamed if he fails to make good on Warisan's promises to the people.

Sabah Umno deputy information chief Ramlee Marahaban says Shafie Apdal is trying to make the state BN a scapegoat. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Sabah Umno deputy information chief Ramlee Marahaban yesterday accused Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Shafie Apdal of making populist remarks in claiming that there are no state reserves, only debts, left by the previous administration.

“He is simply creating a smokescreen so that he will not be blamed if he fails to deliver what Warisan promised in its manifesto to the people in the 14th general election.

“Warisan promised the world to the people, but after barely two weeks in office, Shafie has admitted: ‘I may not be able to fulfil all the desires, all the requests.'”

In a statement, Ramlee also accused Shafie of trying to make Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) a scapegoat.

“Under Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, the Sabah BN government was given a clean bill by the federal Auditor-General for 16 consecutive years until 2016.

“RAM Ratings gave the state administration AAA rating for seven consecutive years until 2017.

“The Sabah BN government also presented surplus budgets for four consecutive years from 2015 until this year where the budget stood at RM4.1 billion, with a surplus of RM65 million.”

Ramlee said the state financial reserves had also increased over the years, adding that Sabah had recorded a surplus in its annual consolidated revenue account for 16 consecutive years until last year.

“All these are undisputed facts. My question is, should the Auditor-General’s Report be disputed?” -FMT