KOTA KINABALU: PPBM vice-president Abdul Rashid Ab Rahman further fuelled speculation today that PPBM would eventually spread its wings to Sabah after saying the party could play a role in uniting the people in the state.
Speaking to reporters here today, he said it is important for Sabahans to unite through the parties they support.
He said it would be pointless if there were too many parties and the people remained divided.
“If PPBM’s entry into Sabah is supported, the party can provide the leadership to unite the people of Sabah. We want to develop Sabah… I support the call ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ although that was the election slogan.
“If Sabahans are united, it is very easy for the demands (by Sabah) to be looked into. Pakatan Harapan (PH), as the government, will seriously consider Sabah. It won’t be like before (but) more fairness to Sabah,” he said.
Rashid was in the state capital on a personal invitation by Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) president Lajim Ukin, a former Umno federal deputy minister, in conjunction with PHRS’ annual general meeting today.
Speculation is rife that the senior leaders from Sabah Umno, including MPs, assemblymen and senators, who recently quit the party would eventually join PPBM, paving the way for PPBM to set up its base in the state.
However, Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr had yesterday said he believed PPBM would keep its promise that it would not spread its wings to the state due to the good relationship and understanding between the two parties.
Rashid said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was ready to listen to the needs of Sabahans.
“He is not the same Mahathir as before… this is the new Mahathir. He has changed (and) has really become the hope for Malaysians, without comparing east and west,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lajim welcomed PPBM’s entry into Sabah, saying that this would be more beneficial to the state as PPBM could channel assistance directly to Sabah and the state government would have more funds for development.
“No one has a right to stop (PPBM from coming) because this is a democracy. It is not stated anywhere in the state or federal constitutions (that parties cannot spread its wings to certain parts of the country).
“Why is it that other parties like DAP, Amanah, PKR and even PAS can be in Sabah? Why not PPBM? And we know PPBM will become the ultimate party in Malaysia to replace Umno,” he said.
On Warisan’s call that PPBM should keep its promise to stay out of Sabah, Lajim said anyone could give their views but reiterated that there was nothing to stop PPBM from setting up base in the state.
On PHRS’ application to join PH, Lajim said he hoped to have news soon that “would make Sabahans happy.”
Lajim, whose party was formerly part of the Gabungan Bersatu opposition pact, said PHRS had expressed its stand to support the federal and state governments. -FMT
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