MAT SABU LAYS DOWN THE FACTS: IT’S PAKATAN THAT WILL DECIDE MAHATHIR’S FATE AS PM – CERTAINLY NOT AZMIN, HADI OR BERSATU BOOTLICKERS

Defence Minister Mat Sabu to officiating Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2019 (LIMA '19).-Art Chen/ The Star. 3 Sep 2018. Reporter : Austin

KLANG: The decision regarding Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure in office will be decided by the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu said whatever decision collectively taken by Pakatan will also be his party’s stand.

Mohamad, who spoke to reporters after handing over an allocation of RM1.8mil to various organisations, including the Bukit Naga community clinic, also denied that coalition was split into two groups regarding the matter.

“There aren’t two groups. There is only one group and our leader is Tun Mahathir, ’’ he said.

The country’s Opposition, as well as Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali have made their stand clear that they want Dr Mahathir to remain.

On another matter, Mohamad said the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) is being restructured and will be in stronger in time to come.

“We will also discuss at the Ministry of Defence level if there is a need to increase personnel.

“But the equipment must be upgraded from time to time, ’’ he added.

On a question whether the government will emulate the previous government’s stance of using abandoned oil rigs to monitor the area, Mohamad said it depended if there was a need to do so.

“Whether more rigs will be converted for the purpose depends on the need and suitability, ’’ said Mohamad.

According to him, Malaysia, the Philipines and Indonesia were working closely together to prevent kidnappings and terrorist activities in the area.

Mohamad also said that the number of kidnappings in the area had decreased.

Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal opined recently that there was a need for Esscom to be restructured and its assets upgraded to prevent cross-border crimes.

Shafie’s comment came after ten fishing vessel crewmen were abducted snatched at about 2am on June 18 near the waters of Tambisan, Lahad Datu in Sabah.

THE STAR