Shafie: Reps don't need to live in 10-room mansions

SANDAKAN POLLS | Mohd Shafie Apdal has reminded all government representatives that integrity is key to develop Sabah.

The chief minister urged members of his administration to work hard so that Sabahans would not be forced to migrate to earn a living.

Using his house as an example, Shafie said there is no need for him to build a 10-room luxury mansion.

"This is important. Somebody wants to build a big house with 10 rooms. We want to build a room to sleep in – not to play football in the house. Correct?

"Why then do we want to build a (luxury) house? My Semporna house is my father's house that he built in 1967. I told my late mother: 'Mama, I want to use the small room for me to sleep with my wife'.

"If you don't believe me, you come to Semporna. That's my father house. It's there,” the Semporna MP told a 650 Chinese-majority crowd in a dinner at Sandakan.

The crowd roundly applauded Shafie, who was there to support Vivian Wong (photo), the DAP candidate for this Saturday's by-election.

Late Stephen led a simple life

Looking at Vivian, Shafie told the crowd that her father and late Sandakan MP Stephen Wong lived a simple life, as does Luyang assemblyperson Phoong Jin Zhe.

"During Chinese New Year, I would come to Sandakan and wish him 'Gong Xi Fa Cai'," he said.

"Stephen stayed in a small house. When I visit Phoong's house in Luyang, the house only has three rooms. He stays with his mother and brothers, sharing the room.”

Shafie expressed his desire that all federal and state lawmakers maintain their current lifestyles and not seek luxury for themselves.

“Don't build a new house, don't buy a new car, that's important. We must remember it's time for us to develop Sabah.”

Providing jobs so Sabahans stay

Shafie also insisted that he would not need kickbacks or corruption, as he is satisfied with his chief minister's salary.

“I don't need money. My chief minister's salary is enough. I want to help develop Sabah once and for all," he said.

“We have been through Usno, Berjaya, PBS and Umno periods. Only the leaders are rich, but the people are getting poorer and poorer. This is not good for the economy.

"That's why when I give projects, don't give me money. I don't need money. When I give a project, you provide jobs for Sabahans."

The Warisan president reminded the audience that it would be better to create jobs rather than give one-off assistance to voters every five years during the election cycle.

“If we give jobs to others, he or she will get a monthly salary. But if we give the money to the leader, the people will get money once every five years."

“Why? They don't have a job. You only give money to the leader, but the people don't have a monthly salary to support the children.

“That's why there are many people asking money from the leaders.”

'People-centric, not pocket-centric'

Shafie expressed sadness that many Sabahans are forced to leave their hometowns and find jobs in Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

“They have to migrate and earn a living when we have the wealth here in Sabah... we must change the leadership's mindset and must be people-centric, not pocket-centric.”

Citing his son as an example, the chief minister said he will create more jobs for Sabahans in order to retain local talent.

“My son graduated from Nottingham University. But he worked in Penang in an American company, Intel.

“Sometimes I ask him when he wants to come back. He is still single and doesn't want to look for a girlfriend in Sabah, but if possible he wants to find a Penangite girlfriend.

“But he was forced to work in Penang. Why? Sabah doesn't have the industry. We should not do this.”

Apart from Shafie, his deputy and Sabah Harapan chief Christina Liew, along with Warisan vice-president and state exco Junz Wong (centre in photo) were present at the dinner.

Pre-sold dinner

Later, Wong said the dinner was a pre-sold event costing RM400 per table.

Sandakan Warisan chief George Hiew explained that some supporters bought 10 tables to show their support.

"A table costs RM400. When we were in opposition, we sold tickets for RM600 per table for party fundraising. Now we sell it at RM400 to cover the dinner cost.

"A few supporters bought five to ten tables. Then they gifted it to others to invite them to come. They sold like hotcakes," he said. - Mkini