Sabah’s unity government must involve all parties at federal level, says Zahid

 

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says there are still negotiations underway in Sabah amid the political crisis in the state.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim suggested the formation of a unity government in Sabah involving all the parties in the federal government when he met the state’s political leaders last night, revealed Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Commenting on efforts to resolve the political crisis in Sabah, Zahid, the deputy prime minister said there was a need for a cooling-off period.

“Although it is calm now, there are still things that are happening,” he told reporters here.

“But the important thing is the prime minister’s suggestion to establish a unity government in Sabah that will involve all the parties at the federal level, and I ask all parties to be open-minded about this.

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“Of course, while it won’t be that difficult, the question of whether it will be accepted is one that we need to consider,” he added during a press conference at Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, added that he was confident Sabahans would not want a state elections to be held because it would be tiresome.

The state was plunged into a political crisis last Thursday after intense speculation that Sabah Umno and state opposition party Warisan were seeking to form a new government.

The next day, Umno and Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin withdrew support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor as chief minister.

Last night, Anwar held talks with leaders from Sabah BN, Warisan and Hajiji in Kota Kinabalu, after which he gave his blessing to Hajiji to continue leading the state.

Zahid, who held talks with Sabah BN and Umno leaders earlier in the day, was also present at the meetings Anwar held. - FMT