Former Sukau Umno rep joins Warisan

Saddi Abdul Rahman (second right) after his membership was accepted by Warisan.

KOTA KINABALU: Sukau assemblyman Saddi Abdul Rahman joined Warisan today, five months after quitting Sabah Umno to become an independent.

His application form was accepted by Warisan Supreme Council member cum Sekong assemblyman Arifin Asgali, who is also assistant minister to the chief minister.

Speaking at a press conference in Sandakan today, the two-term assemblyman said he decided to join the local party as he believed Warisan was the ideal platform from which he could continue his fight for Sabah’s rights.

“When I left Umno in August, I said I would support any local-based political party capable of fighting for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issue and fair and just oil royalty rights.

“The Sabah government, led by Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, has started the initiative to discuss the matters with the federal government.”

He said over the past five months as an independent assemblyman, he had been attracted by Warisan’s vision to fight for the rights of all Sabahans regardless of race or religion.

He said he also respected Shafie’s decision not to join PPBM despite being offered a senior position within the party.

He was also impressed that Warisan had continued to resist joining Pakatan Harapan as a formal partner, and only pledged to work together with the coalition.

He said he hoped his vision under the New Sukau Development Blueprint would be adopted by the Sabah government, including plans for the construction of the second Sukau bridge at the Kinabatangan Conservation Area which were scrapped following intense objection from environmentalists last year.

The RM223 million Sukau bridge project was cancelled by the previous Barisan Nasional government after receiving strong objections from local and international conservationists who said it would disrupt the migratory route of wildlife and negate wildlife conservation.

The Kinabatangan Conservation Area is described as “Sabah’s Gift to the Earth” and has been dubbed the “Corridor of Life”.

“Other than the bridge, the blueprint also planned for the construction of a new government administration building, roads, schools and many other facilities for the benefit of the people in Sukau.

“I hope all these plans will be realised by the current government,” he said.

He also hinted that he was only the first of many Sabah Umno leaders who had decided to join Warisan.

“Many Sabah Umno leaders have contacted me and several will also be joining Warisan this month and next year,” he said. - FMT