‘New opposition parties not a threat’

Q: How does the current relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines benefit the people of Sabah?

A: The decision by the Philippine government to allow Malaysian maritime forces to pursue Islamist kidnappers into its waters will possibly reduce the number of kidnapping cases and improve security in the east coast of Sabah.

The Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, also intends to provide assistance, in the form of hospitals and schools, for the undocumented Filipinos in Sabah, while the gradual repatriation is proceeding. This will help reduce the healthcare costs borne by the Malaysian government.

Q: Is the government doing enough to tackle cross-border crime, including kidnappings in the east coast of Sabah? A: While the government is doing its best to deliver better services to the people, there are times where certain issues cannot be resolved immediately.

For instance, people have been questioning the capability and effectiveness of the Eastern Sabah Security Command, but there are limitations, such as international laws that prevent encroachment into Philippine waters.

The delay in the government’s efforts in securing the release of Malaysian hostages are often criticised by the public, but they have to understand that the authorities have been negotiating. Some of the details of the negotiations are sensitive and not meant to be shared publicly. What’s important is that the hostages are kept alive and released.

Q: Is Umno popular or relevant among the youth in Sabah? A: Sabah Umno Youth chief Yamani Hafez Musa, who is from Generation Y, has taken a different approach to better understand the younger generation in the state. One method is to engage university students through activities organised by Umno.

The Umno party in Sabah is not only stable, but also peaceful because the people are able to live harmoniously with each other.

Given the nature of Umno, I believe the younger generation in Sabah is able to evaluate which parties are significant, although most of them are non-partisan.

Q: Will the new state-based opposition parties affect Umno in Sabah?

A: The emergence of new statebased opposition parties, such as Parti Warisan Sabah with the familiar slogan “Sabah for Sabahans”, is not likely to pose a threat to Umno.

Unless all of the opposition parties contest under the United Sabah Alliance during the 14th General Election, they will remain as parties that are merely “mushrooming” for a brief moment in the state.

Even former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who is the current president of Parti Warisan Sabah and Semporna member of parliament, will not necessarily win over Umno’s supporters during the election.

Umno, which has a long history in Sabah, has been taking a similar approach to United States president-elect Donald Trump, who went down to the ground instead of relying on the media.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has been urging Umno leaders and members to meet and listen to the people to deliver better services.

Q: What is your expectation in the upcoming Umno General Assembly 2016?

A: I hope the assembly will produce concrete strategies to win the support of young voters, especially those in Peninsular Malaysia.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin is a youth icon and there should be more people like him in the party to act as a game changer for Umno politics.