Not many pirates in Perak, Sabah needs warships more - Shafie

 

PARLIAMENT | Former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal has urged the federal government to move some of its military assets in the peninsula to the Borneo state where there are threats in its waters including pirates.

In debating the Supply Bill, the Semporna MP said the country’s territory around waters off Sabah is "where the threat is at" compared to Perak, where many of the navy ships are deployed.

"Today, in the situation where we are facing threats at the South China Sea, it is unfortunate that we (Sabah) have no military assets.

"During the Lahad Datu incident (in 2013), we did not have fighter jets, not even a helicopter (in Sabah). All of that had to be brought in from Labuan.

"There are not that many pirates in Lumut, Perak, but there are already too many warships there. Why not send some to Sabah to defend our territory as that is where we (have borders) with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the South China Sea.

"It is where the threat is. Balance where resources are needed and where the assets are," Shafie told the Dewan Rakyat.

He was referring to the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion by a group of armed militants linked to the self-proclaimed “Royal Sulu Army”.

Sabah was also a flashpoint for piracy and kidnap-for-ransom activities due to its proximity to neighbouring countries.

Sabah rights

Shafie also raised the issue of Sabah's constitutional right to get 40 percent of its special grant revenue from the federal government.

He urged Putrajaya to respect Article 112 of the Federal Constitution that enshrined the right.

Touching on the issue of transportation, the Warisan leader raised alarm over an alleged mass resignation of Malaysia Airlines engineers.

Shafie said some 65 engineers have resigned from the national airline company for better pay elsewhere.

"My worry is not only about this issue delaying the flight system or the problem with its ability to manage and coordinate properly.

"I am also looking at this from the issue of safety. If some 60 engineers have resigned, how do we be sure that the aircrafts are safe for us to fly, especially in the kind of challenging weather we have today?

"I hope this issue is given a priority because we are dependent on MAS," he said.

Resolve MA63 issues

Doris Sophia Brodie (GPS-Sri Aman) in her debate speech reiterated calls for the federal government to return Sabah and Sarawak's right to have 35 percent from the total number of parliamentary seats.

While she welcomed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's commitment to return all the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as enshrined in the Constitution, Doris hoped to see all issues involving the Malaysia Agreement 1963 be resolved once and for all.

"All this must be settled under our Federal Constitution so that our spirit of federation can continue to be upheld without any more gap between East and West Malaysia," she said. - Mkini