Anwar assures Sabah situation under control

The political crisis in Sabah is still under control and the administration of the state government is unaffected, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said he has spoken to Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor while Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has spoken to Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin.

“The situation is like that. I have spoken to Chief Minister Hajiji and I’m made to understand that Zahid has spoken to Bung. The situation is under control for now.

“God willing, we will ensure the administration of the state government is unaffected because our priority is to generate economic growth and protect the people’s interests,” he told a press conference.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting, which was held in PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Anwar added that he would pay special attention to Sabah after returning from his official trip to Indonesia.

“God willing, when I return from Jakarta, I will pay special attention to the development of Sabah,” he said.

Sabah is now in political turmoil after the state BN withdrew its support for Hajiji, citing a loss of confidence.

Bung, who is also Sabah BN chairperson, announced last night that his party was withdrawing its support for Hajiji as Sabah chief minister, thereby quitting the state government.

Bung said the decision was made after a meeting with BN assemblypersons.

He claimed that Hajiji violated a political understanding with Sabah BN in which the coalition would support him and be given positions in the state cabinet and government-linked companies.

However, five Sabah BN assemblypersons rejected Bung’s move to pull support from Hajiji and demanded his resignation instead.

‘No invite to Umno assembly yet’

Meanwhile, Anwar said he has not received any invitation to attend the Umno general assembly next week.

“In politics or life, it is not possible. Now, there is no invitation. After all, this is a matter for Umno, I am from PKR,” he said when asked if he was invited.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Harapan presidential council meeting today also discussed preparations for upcoming state elections.

However, he said, possible cooperation with BN to face the state elections has not been discussed.

“Our focus is to defend the three states controlled by Harapan as well as being an effective opposition in Kelantan and Terengganu, along with getting a balanced opportunity for Harapan in Kedah,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzli said that the government will continue to appoint a member of the opposition as Public Accounts Committee chairperson.

It is important to ensure there are proper checks and balances, and transparency in government administration, he said.

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