DAP leader: Hishammuddin should resign for electioneering foreign affairs

Former deputy defence minister Liew Chin Tong has called for Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to step down from his post, claiming that the latter is jeopardising foreign relations by scoring cheap political points.

This came after Hishammuddin accused Sabah incumbent chief minister Shafie Apdal of being soft on the claim by some Philippines politicians to Sabah.

"For Hishammuddin to attempt to turn this into an issue to portray himself as 'tough' while Shafie as 'soft' on the Philippines is utterly disgusting political opportunism.

"Hishammuddin is unscrupulous in making false claims and should just resign from his position for electioneering foreign policy matters," said Liew (above) in a statement today.

He said the country needed mature politicians who do not lie and doublespeak.

"Malaysia can do without a foreign minister who uses foreign affairs, which should be a bipartisan affair as much as possible, for instant electoral gains. Such an act by Hishammuddin is highly irresponsible," said Liew, not mincing his words.

Hishammuddin's Facebook post which raised Liew's ire had said: "As a leader in Sabah, Shafie should be more assertive and not try to 'give face' to outsiders who are questioning Sabah's sovereignty."

"Malaysia's position is the same, we will not negotiate or acknowledge any claims on Sabah," read the post.

Liew himself said earlier this month in the Dewan Negara that it was inappropriate for any party in the Philippines to use the Sabah issue as political currency to garner domestic popularity and shift the attention of voters away from the very real issues the two nations face in the South China Sea.

Hishammuddin Hussein

For the record, several politicians in the Philippines recently initiated a move to renew its claim on Sabah, including a bill by the Philippines' House of Representatives.

The bill aims to amend the Philippines Passport Act 1996 to include Sabah on a map of the country which is featured on the cover of Filipino passports.

The bill had since received heavy criticism from Malaysia and has also become a campaign topic at the Sabah state election. - Mkini