Sabah State Reform Party (Star) Sabah chairperson Jeffrey Kitingan has urged the Chief Minister Musa Aman to remember his place as the leader of all Sabahans and put the state’s interests ahead of Umno’s.

“He (Musa) should not be trapped in the mindset that he is an Umno representative but rather as the leader of all Sabahans, and (must) look after the larger interests of all Sabahans, not Umno’s interests,” he said.

As such, he said in a statement, Musa ( right ) and the state government should start playing their roles as true elected representatives by representing the people of Sabah.

Jeffrey was commenting on the assurance made by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem on Monday that he will consider Sarawak’s request for higher oil and gas royalty.

Najib had agreed to discuss with Sarawak leaders over their request for an increase of 20 per cent oil and gas royalty.Jeffrey believed the prime minister’s remarks favouring Sarawak has shamed the Sabah government and its BN leaders.

He commented on the timing of Adenan’s request, made as the PM was attending the presence at the Malaysia Gawai Dayak Open House in Miri, saying it has “no parallel” in Sabah as its government has been “muted” in their stand on higher oil royalties.

Jeffrey pointed out that several BN component parties had to resort to getting their youth wings to make a stand seeking higher royalties, and that a motion in the state assembly was “flatly rejected”.

“At the legislative assembly level, it was a no-contest between Sabah and Sarawak.  The Sarawak lawmakers had made an unequivocal and clear-cut 71-0 demand for higher royalties,” he said.

Jeffery ( left ) added that in view of recent events, the Sabah government and its leaders should reassess their positions and demand for higher royalties, if not for return of the full oil ownership rights.

He also suggested they seek shares in national oil and gas company Petronas for Sabah and all the oil-producing states.

“It is not wrong for the chief minister and the Sabah government to demand for ownership of Petronas.

“How wonderful it would be for Sabah if all Sabah BN leaders, at all levels, were to make a similar stand to ask for higher oil royalties and shares in Petronas and show that they are also true patriots of Sabah and not meek leaders and stooges of Kuala Lumpur,”  Jeffrey said.

“These Sabah leaders should shed their vested interests and look after Sabah’s and Sabahans’ rights, interest and welfare.  They should not take Sabahans for granted any longer.” he added.