Chee’s statement about Sabah CM her personal view, says STAR

 

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) deputy information chief Ardino Diris urged everyone to support chief minister Hajiji Noor. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) women’s wing chief Kerry Chee’s statement that party president Jeffrey Kitingan is the best candidate to take over as Sabah chief minister is her personal opinion, says the party’s deputy information chief Ardino Diris.

Ardino, in a statement, said Chee’s proposal did not reflect the party’s position on the matter.

Kerry Chee.

He said the issue of who should be appointed chief minister in the current politically turbulent situation in Sabah should not even be raised.

Everyone, he said, should stand united in supporting the leadership of chief minister Hajiji Noor.

“I am confident that our president has a long-term vision for the welfare of the people of Sabah and will continue to work closely with the chief minister to lead the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government,” he added.

Ardino was responding to a Malaysiakini report which quoted Chee as saying that if “circumstances forced a leadership change”, Kitingan would be the best person for the job.

She was reported to have paid a glowing tribute to the STAR president, saying the public opinions stating that he should lead the state “bore witness to his character as a visionary leader and also as an architect of what Sabah could potentially become”.

Chee also noted that Kitingan’s extensive political experience, unwavering commitment to the state’s development, and ability to unite various factions had placed him at the forefront of the conversation about Sabah’s future leadership.

Kitingan, who is deputy chief minister, has repeatedly expressed his support for Hajiji, following calls for the chief minister to step down in the wake of an alleged mining scandal said to involve several of the state’s assemblymen.

Last Friday, Kitingan denied allegations that he was conspiring against Hajiji following a footage of a conversation that had gone viral.

Kitingan said the footage, allegedly taken on Nov 1, showed part of a conversation taken out of context and falsely presented as evidence for these accusations.

He also said his party had consistently supported Hajiji’s appointment as chief minister since 2020, and its backing had never wavered despite the numerous challenges.

Last Wednesday, Kitingan had also defended Hajiji from calls for his resignation after an Umno leader claimed that the chief minister’s leadership had suffered a trust deficit.

Kitingan dismissed Umno Youth treasurer Naim Kurniawan Moktar’s claim, saying it was not for Naim to judge whether Hajiji had lost the trust of Sabahans. - FMT