Hajiji faces trust deficit, no harm in Jeffrey taking over as CM: Umno leader

A Sabah Umno leader has reiterated his call for Deputy Chief Minister I Jeffrey Kitingan to take over the chief minister post from Hajiji Noor as he said a trust deficit now plagues the latter.

State Umno Youth treasurer Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar said this is to safeguard Sabah’s economy.

“In my opinion, Jeffrey should not be afraid to replace Hajiji in the name of responsibility and accountability to protect the state’s economy and people’s economy.

“This is not something driven by politics and I believe Jeffrey will prioritise the people’s welfare before Hajiji and Gagasan Rakyat Sabah’s pressure,” Naim said on Facebook.

Amid the ongoing corruption scandal rocking Sabah, Naim had first urged Hajiji to step down on Dec 5 and suggested Jeffrey be appointed interim chief minister to lead the state.

However, Jeffrey dismissed Naim’s calls on Dec 7 and stressed that no one has been dragged to court on the allegations so far.

“It is certainly not fair to bring my name up and create confusion, division, and speculation among Gabungan Rakyat Sabah members… or perhaps that is the name of the game?” he told Free Malaysia Today.

‘Driving foreign investors away’

Naim further said when an administration suffers from a trust deficit, it will push foreign investors away.

When that happens, Sabah will have to use its reserves to prop up the economy or let the people face rising inflation and spike in interest rates, he explained.

“While I’m certain Jeffrey will use the state’s reserves to help the people, especially the B40 and hardcore poor, the trust deficit against Hajiji will drive away foreign investments continuously - leading to depleted reserves.

“And that will cause financial instability which could hamper Sabah’s economic development while limiting our emergency funds to maintain and restore public infrastructure, especially when natural disasters occur.

“Therefore, Jeffrey need not fear replacing Hajiji for the sake of the state’s economy and people’s economy,” Naim added.

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