Anwar: Harapan won't nominate CM, will safeguard Sabah

SABAH POLLS | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed speculation about Pakatan Harapan's alleged ambitions to control Sabah.

At a dinner event in Kota Kinabalu last night, the Harapan chief said the coalition will not spearhead the next state government, and neither would it have enough seats to form a government on its own.

“We are not putting a Harapan candidate as chief minister. You choose who you want (for a government)," Anwar said.

Harapan is contesting 22 of Sabah’s 73 seats, far short of the 38 required to secure a simple majority.

On Thursday, former Sabah Harapan chief Ewon Benedick expressed concern that the state could lose leverage if voters install local leaders from national parties who, he said, depend on “a party president across the sea”.

Ewon had led his Upko party out of Harapan over disagreements with Putrajaya over Sabah's 40 percent entitlement to federal revenue collected from the state.

The party also expressed unhappiness with PKR, which it accused of undermining its leadership of Harapan in Sabah.

Stabilising force

Anwar said that instead of seeking power, the coalition is acting more as a stabilising force with a focus on good governance and upholding a strong working relationship between Sabah and the federal administration.

“First, we safeguard governance. We do not want this state to be known for corruption or abuse of power. No more nonsense, we work properly, together,” he added.

He said the sheer number of candidates contesting in the Sabah polls demonstrates his point.

The most crowded contest is in Tulid with 14 candidates, but multiple other seats have 11, 12, and 13 nominees as well.

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“This is an election. One area 14, 15, 20 also can," he said with a laugh while slapping his forehead.

"But what is this? It shows there are problems here,” he added more seriously.

This, he said, proves why cooperation between Putrajaya and Kota Kinabalu is important, to ensure that Sabah progresses and develops.

“We want this state to work together (with Putrajaya)… develop this country, this state… advance your projects in every sector where you have enormous potential,” he added.

40pct revenue entitlement

Anwar's tone throughout the event was noticeably softer compared with his sharper, more forceful speeches during his earlier visit to Sabah.

Last week, during a walkabout at Gaya Street market in Kota Kinabalu, the prime minister appeared to dismiss distinctions between the 40 percent revenue entitlement and federal allocations to Sabah when speaking to the public.

In his speech yesterday, Anwar insisted that the government is not challenging the 40 percent entitlement.

“This is the first time the cabinet said yes 40 percent is Sabah’s right. No argument.

“Some people said we appealed. But read it carefully, that appeal was for another case, not the 40 percent,” he stressed.

The Attorney-General's Chambers had on Friday filed an appeal against parts of the High Court ruling that ordered the federal government to hold another review with the Sabah government regarding the 40 percent revenue share.

Former Sabah Law Society president Roger Chin explained that while it is accurate that the government has not challenged the constitutional formula for the 40 percent entitlement for Sabah, the appeal is far broader than what was publicly represented.

Chin pointed out that it seeks to overturn the finding that no lawful review of the 40 percent share took place after 1973.

If the government succeeds in its appeal, it would not be held accountable for the 48 "lost years" where the special grant did not amount to 40 percent of federal revenue collected from Sabah.

Don’t heed election drama

Anwar acknowledged last night that dissatisfaction remains over the revenue-sharing issue.

However, he maintained that his administration has been fair to Sabah.

“Some are still unhappy. But don't say we have not done anything. We gave RM17 billion, the highest in the country, for electricity, for water, for roads, for schools,” he pointed out.

Anwar also urged Sabahans to look beyond short-term election drama as polling day approaches.

“Think about the future. Think about your children,” he added.

Sabahans will cast their ballots on Nov 29, while early voting has been set for Nov 25.

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Tulid sees 14 contenders, over 10 challengers in 22 other seats