Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal has dismissed the proposal by SAPP for a separate identity card for Sabahans, saying that there is no need for such a document.

NONE “Why should we? We are a nation already. If (we say) Sabah is for Sabahans and Perlis is for Perlis people, the (nation) won’t go anywhere,” he said today.

Shafie (left) , the Semporna MP, acknowledged the 20-point agreement - which, among others, controls the movement of Malaysians from the peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak - but said a new identity card would be counter-productive.

“In the early 1980s, I brought (home) my wife who is from Kedah. I had to join one immigration line for Sabahans and she was in another for people from the peninsula. But she is my wife!

“We can't even control the (Filipino militant separatist group) Abu Sayyaf and illegal migrants from entering Sabah, so why are we trying to control Malaysians? Don't look at things so negatively.”

Shafie, who is rural development minister, brushed off the proposal as a mere election promise which is unlikely to be fulfilled.

“When we use the (National Day) theme Janji Ditepati (Promises fulfilled) some people get uneasy. If they are confident of fulfilling their promises they wouldn't be scared of that theme,” he noted.

azlan He also said the opposition is playing a “dangerous” game by “exploiting” state-level allegiances in Sabah.

“We must look at development at the macro level, and not be swayed by the wanton desire for power which plays on emotions, leading to conflicts like in Syria where the Sunni are battling the Shiite.

“They are the same people, but are incited to the extent that even the taking of lives is not considered a limit. We should prioritise peace.”

'Consider allocations to Sabah'

Sabah had joined Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963 willingly because it was “the right choice at the time”.

“We talk about oil royalty of 20 to 50 percent, but we don't consider the allocations given to this state.

“Sabah and Sarawak is huge. The Kinabatangan constituency is larger than Pahang in size. Sabah is backward because it is big, but if everything is given to Sabah, what will happen to Perlis?”

NONE Shafie said this after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) for a replanting programme.

The MOU was signed by Felcra chairperson and Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Risda chairperon and former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik, among others.

“I hope this MOU will see a more systematic and efficient replanting programme...as many before were behind schedule due to poor planning,” Tajuddin said in his speech.

“We take it for granted, but every month and day of delay is a loss of revenue and income especially for the participants and settlers.”

Rahim called for a monitoring unit to ensure that the MOU “will not (remain) a mere memorandum”.

Umno veep: Sabah BN should not take defections lightly