Don’t be fooled by ‘Sabah for Sabahan’
Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has warned Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri members not to dwell on racial, religious and poli cal sen ments between Sabah and the Peninsula.
TENOM: Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has warned Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri members not to dwell on racial, religious and political sentiments between Sabah and the peninsula.
He reminded the people of Sabah not to be deceived by politics of disunity, of pointing fingers, and of trying to incite hatred of the government and its leaders.
Hishammuddin said Sabah’s defense, security and peace would be gambled away if they (the opposition) had their way and the innocent people of Sabah would be the victims.
He also asked Umno members and the people not to take part in the political games that they (the opposition) play in preaching the politics of hatred and disunity with the ‘Sabah for Sabahan’ sentiment.
“Many of them were in the government once before so why was it not raised at that time? Why only today to be a champion of a situation that can lead to a breakup?” Hishammuddin said during a press conference after opening the joint Tenom, Keningau and Pensiangan Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri delegates meeting here yesterday.
Hishammuddin said there is no consistent party other than the Barisan Nasional (BN) that transcends skin color and religion to raise, defend and develop Sabah.
“I hope through this gathering, we can make the people aware of the coming election, discern what is rhetoric and what actually is being done by the BN government.”
Hishammuddin added there is limit to what you say in politics, and generally, the people of Sabah are appreciative of the contribution of the military personnel and the roles of the security agencies, including the police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the National Security Council.
“This is my commitment, PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, DPM Datuk Seri Zahid (Hamidi) and the government’s commitment to Sabah. I hope your appreciation for what they did will be translated into support, especially in the coming election.
“In Sabah, the state of Umno here is much different from last year where there was instability, frustration and anger. But this year, the three divisions have remained loyal to the party facing a critical test in the coming election,” he said.
On the state leadership, Hishammuddin said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman’s plans for the economy, education and security could only be implemented if BN gets a big mandate in the state-level election. What Musa has done is an example and evidence and not rhetoric as can be seen in this state.
“On the Keningau Teacher’s Education Institute (IPG) and the education agenda, even when I was the Education Minister before, it was not easy to make sure that everyone had access to quality education but this is important in the context of our teachers as I can see and it is something that I will bring to the attention of our Minister of Education as indeed from the time I was the Minister of Education there was never enough teachers in Sabah.
“It would be better if there is a teacher training center in Sabah specifically to produce teachers to serve in Sabah,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Tenom Umno Youth chief Jamawi Jaafar said all three youth divisions of Tenom, Keningau and Pensiangan made a strong request for IPG Keningau to be maintained.
“We will continue to oppose the closing down of this Institution as it still has a lot to serve in producing teachers for the Interior.
“Furthermore, the IPG now include a Kadazan Dusun and Murut (KDM) Learning Centre and we, Umno Youth from the three divisions, will continue to oppose the closure and demand that the government maintain the Keningau IPG,” Jamawi said.