Jeffrey Kitingan questions Dr M's motives on choice of PM

Sabah STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan questioned Dr Mahathir Mohamad's motives in wanting Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Mohd Shafie Apdal as the Opposition's choice for prime minister (PM) if they were to form the government.

The deputy minister of tourism, arts, and culture opined that it is a plot to not only attempt to bring down Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) government but to block PKR president Anwar Ibrahim from becoming PM if the opposition were to take over Putrajaya.

“Sabahans must not be hoodwinked into thinking this idea came from a good place. Mahathir is desperate and toying with Sabahans," Jeffrey (above) said in a statement released in Kota Kinabalu last night.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Sabah women's wing chief Azizah Mohd Dun questioned whether "it’s just a joke" that the Sabah Chief Minister (Shafie Apdal) was being considered for the top post should the Mahathir-allied Pakatan Harapan and Warisan were to form the new government.

Yesterday, Mahathir had announced that he and Harapan partners Amanah and DAP were in favour of Shafie Apdal for PM, Anwar as deputy prime minister (DPM 1), and former Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir as DPM 2, if the opposition were to wrest Putrajaya back from Muhyiddin.

Earlier yesterday, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Harapan coalition was open to any suggestions on the PM candidate but the matter would have to be finalised by the coalition’s presidential council.

PN is made up of Bersatu, of which Muhyiddin is the acting chairperson and president, Umno-led Barisan Nasional, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and other smaller parties, including Sabah STAR.

- Bernama

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