Rafizi takes campaign to Sabah, says better deal under Anwar

The PKR deputy president aspirant says Sabah and Sarawak should be recognised as equal entities in the Malaysian federation.

Rafizi Ramli speaks to Sabah PKR members during an event to launch Tabung Reformasi to collect funds for the party.

KOTA KINABALU: PKR’s Rafizi Ramli today took his campaign for the party’s deputy presidency to Sabah, telling members in the state that Sabah would get better treatment under the leadership of Anwar Ibrahim.

Rafizi, who has openly said that he was vying for the number two post to ensure Anwar is not sidelined by the current government, said he would work hard for Putrajaya to recognise Sabah and Sarawak as entities of the Malaysian federation, rather than being considered as among its 14 states.

“For so long Sabah has been sidelined by Barisan Nasional,” Rafizi told a programme with Sabah PKR members today.

“It is important to ensure that Putrajaya respects Sabah, to ensure Sabah is one of three and not one of 14 states in Malaysia,” he said.

Rafizi said giving equal status for Sabah and Sarawak under Malaysia was more important than appointing deputy prime ministers from the two states as promised by PKR.

“To me this is more important than the promise of the DPM seats,” he said.

“That means the funds, attention and powers should be restored in line with the status. When that is achieved, then i think there is no problem for the prime minister to appount a deputy from Sabah,” Rafizi said. -FMT