KOTA KINABALU: Consideration should be given to at least a candidate from Sabah and Sarawak to hold the new deputy prime minister’s post, says Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
The Sabah STAR president said he personally felt that Sarawak should be considered for the position, as the state has the most to contribute in the selection of the incoming prime minister.
The Keningau MP said this after being asked about calls to have a Sabahan or Sarawakian hold the post of deputy prime minister following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as prime minister.
To a question as to whether he would accept the position if offered, Kitingan said it doesn’t matter to him who held the DPM post, as long as one from either Sabah or Sarawak is selected.
“But I think Sarawak will most likely be considered,” he said during a press conference on Friday (Aug 20).
He added that the incoming leaders should prioritise Sabah and Sarawak issues, including state rights under the constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and federal-state relations.
He said while Sabah STAR supported Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to be the next prime minister, he hoped the changes in the federal Cabinet will not affect Sabah’s government.
Kitingan said scheduled and ongoing discussions were being held with the state Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) political partners on related matters including this.
“I am confident that Umno will not shake the status quo here,” he said.
He also said that they have spoken to state Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin on these matters, and that the latter has given his word that he wants to see the state government maintained as it is.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
