Racial issues played up as Harapan subdued, Sabah's leadership needed - Warisan

 

Warisan deputy president Darrell Leiking said racial and religious issues are being played up because Pakatan Harapan has been subdued by the federal government through a confidence and supply deal.

He added that such issues can be resolved under Sabahan leadership because their leaders know not to play up such issues and have demonstrated this in Sabah.

"We see that our colleagues in the opposition have signed a memorandum of understanding with Ismail Sabri Yaakob's government but problems still persist.

"There's the Timah issue, the issues with Chinese characters... issues related to religion despite having the MOU.

"Why? Because they know that they have subdued our colleagues in the opposition. It is sad," Leiking said in his keynote speech at the annual general assembly of Warisan's wings in Kota Kinabalu today.

Timah refers to the name of a whisky brand that became a controversy after some in the government wanted to force its manufacturer to change its name, claiming it was too close to the name "Fatimah", who is Prophet Muhammad's daughter.

Others, PAS in particular, had sought an outright ban of the drink. The government eventually agreed to allow Timah to keep its name on the condition that an extra label is included to explain its origins.

The company had said Timah refers to tin in Malay.

The federal government recently also intervened after vernacular characters were dropped from the signboards of state-funded vernacular schools.

Leiking said many Harapan colleagues have shared privately that they are not happy with the MOU.

Warisan expanding

Touting Warisan's national ambitions, Leiking said the party will be launching its West Malaysia chapter.

"Why must we go national? We must go national because Peninsular Malaysia needs Sabahan leadership.

"We will solve these problems such as Timah, conflict over religion and languages because, in Sabah, such issues do not happen. We're not like that.

"The character of Sabah is different," he said.

To this end, Leiking said Warisan must win more parliamentary seats in the next general election due in 2023.

"We must show that we have many parliamentary seats in Parliament when we form the government with whoever who can cooperate with us after the general election," he said.

Leiking also praised Warisan members for remaining steadfast with the party despite not being in power.

He said their commitment differs from certain leaders who had defected from Warisan after facing some pressure from the government.

However, Leiking said party members should not attack the defectors and should instead focus on regaining power in upcoming elections.

As part of an MOU, Harapan has agreed not to obstruct key government legislative agendas. In exchange, Putrajaya will institute a number of institutional reforms as well as ensure equal funding for Harapan MPs. - Mkini