Anifah backs Barisan in Kimanis, stresses immigrant issue

KOTA KINABALU: Former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, who has decided against defending the Kimanis seat he held for 20 years, says he fully backs Barisan Nasional in the Jan 18 parliamentary by-election.

However, the former Umno leader, who quit the party last year to become an independent, said Barisan should not take his support for granted.

He said it must support real moves to restore Sabah's rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 and also sincerely resolve the issue of illegal immigrants.

“Of course, I fully support Barisan.

"I do not wish ever to see that my children and my grandchildren become pendatang (illegal immigrants) in their own state," he said in reference to his objection over the proposed move to give Temporary Sabah Pass to longstanding foreigners in Sabah.

“You know very well that this is my main concern, and I raised it up during my election campaign. KL should not take our support for granted, ” he said on Sunday (Dec 29) when asked which party he would be supporting.

“Enough of empty promises. My message to Barisan is take this issue of illegal immigrants seriously. Don’t just give lip service, and give us our rights as in MA63 and the Federal Constitution, ” he added.

Anifah confirmed that he had discussed with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi and received assurances that there would be solutions to the issues “dear to all Sabahans.”

“I know Zahid well enough that he is very serious with the issues that I raised with him. Otherwise, I would stand in one of the local-based parties in this by-election to register send the message to KL not fool us too many times, ” he added.

He said he was also considering proposing that all political parties who made promises on state rights sign public agreements to deliver on their promises.

“We will work with Sarawak parties on our common objectives to have a stronger voice, ” he added.

Anifah, who held the Kimanis seat since 1999, quit Umno to become an independent four months after the May 9 general election last year. He has been working with local parties and is widely expected to take a leading role in the next general election.