Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili. -Star filepic
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Dr. Maximus Ongkili (pic) has outlined several perceived "weaknesses" of the Parti Warisan Sabah-led state Government, and claimed it had damaged the well-being of Sabahans and the state's economy.
“There is nothing concrete done because the legitimacy of the Warisan-led government is still questionable.
"(Chief Minister) Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal claimed they have the majority when Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau defected from Barisan Nasional to join his camp.
"But nothing is legitimate until their status is determined by the court,” the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president said during the party's annual general meeting in Labuan on Sunday (Sept 30).
Ongkili claimed that the election promises made by Warisan and its partners PKR, DAP and Upko were "meant to be broken", and nothing more than a means to lure voters.
"Recently, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Pakatan Harapan manifesto is not a Bible to be fulfilled. By saying that, it is obvious that their manifesto was just meant to get people’s votes,” he said.
Ongkili also alleged that issuance of citizenship to illegal immigrants, commonly known as PATI, was carried out through registration for documents during town halls and roadshows, a claim the state government has already denied.
He stressed that those who had illegally entered and stayed in Sabah should be arrested and deported to their countries of origin.
“We in PBS also believe that to reduce the numbers of PATIs in Sabah, all enforcement agencies must beef up operations to cripple any efforts to enter our waters illegally,” he said.
The Kota Marudu MP also said with the legitimacy of the state Government still in doubt, investors are losing confidence in doing business in Sabah.
“The is no new investment coming in, projects are put hold because funds are frozen. Even contractors’ claims are not paid, thus hampering the progress of ongoing projects," he claimed.
Ongkili said PBS will maintain its stand on these issues and continue to fight for the rights of Sabah and its people.
The imbroglio over the Warisan-led Sabah government's legitimacy has been dragging on since Tan Sri Musa Aman, who claims to be the rightful Sabah chief minister due to his swearing-in on May 10, filed an originating summons against the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin for "illegally" swearing in Shafie as Chief Minister on May 12.
The High Court has set Oct 26 to decide on the "two Sabah chief ministers" lawsuit.
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