KINABATANGAN: Political parties need to put prolonged quarrels to rest and focus on developing Sabah for the benefit of its people, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"Enough of politics. What is more important today is stability for the sake of development and the welfare of the people of Sabah," the Deputy Prime Minister said during a Sentuhan Kasih Desa@Kuamut programme in Tongod here on Thursday (Jan 22).
"Political parties are merely tools... they are also bridges that connect the people with the state government and the Federal Government, and must be strengthened for the benefit of the rakyat."
As such, the cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the state must continue to be strengthened, he said.
"This will ensure Sabah enjoys political stability, which in turn will drive comprehensive development of the state," he said.
Barisan, which contested against GRS in November's state election, is now part of the state coalition government.
Ahmad Zahid, who is Barisan chairman and Umno president, said political stability is the main prerequisite for sustainable state development.
"If we continue to be in conflict, (we will fight) not only every five years, but almost every year... Prolonged quarrels bring no benefit, and, God willing, this will not happen again in Sabah," he said.
Also in attendance at the programme were GRS Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah and Barisan’s Kinabatangan candidate Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar.
Ahmad Zahid said Naim Kurniawan was capable of carrying on the legacy of his late father, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, in the parliamentary constituency if given the mandate by voters.
By-elections for Kinabatangan and the Lamag state seat will be held on Saturday (Jan 24).
They were called following the Dec 5 passing of Bung Moktar, the incumbent in both seats.
