Sabah Pejuang chief Nicholas Sylvester Muhammad Abdullah (centre)
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans should aim higher than just the chief minister's post as the highest position they could attain, says Sabah Pejuang chief Nicholas Sylvester Muhammad Abdullah.
He reiterated that as the state was one of the equal partners in the formation of Malaysia, any Sabahans are also eligible to hold the prime minister post.
"Sabahans should be more open minded. We can't think just for Sabah only. The highest position is the prime minister. Why do we need to jump in excitement at being offered the deputy prime minister's post?
"For me this is an insult. Do we Sabahans only qualify to be deputy prime minister?
"Malaysia was formed by three equal partners and we are entitled to become prime minister too, not just the number two post," he said during his campaign at Kampung Nagapas in Papar on Sunday (Nov 14).
Last week, Pejuang chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also said that the Constitution ensured that any Malaysians have the right to hold the Prime Minister's post, even from Sabah and Sarawak.
The Sabah Gerakan Tanah Air chief liaison also said this is why he is bringing the slogan Malaysia for Sabah, where he wants to see Sabahans to be on par with their peninsula counterparts.
"We need to think of Malaysian politics. Not just Sabah politics. Those who think like this actually want us to continue to think that we are inferior (than our peninsula counterparts).
"We need to rise up, compete and fight for our place in Malaysia. Not just being a "jaguh kampung" (village hero) and becoming only the chief minister," said Nicholas, adding that Sabahans are also entitled a third of the top positions at the federal level.
He also urged the people of Sabah not to “sell” their votes to any politicians that offer money in return for their support in the 15th General Election.
Nicholas will be facing off against incumbent Papar MP Ahmad Hassan (Warisan), Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (GRS), Henry Shim (PH-DAP), and independent candidates Johnny Sitamin and Chin Chuan Siong @ Norbert Chin.
