Give constructive suggestions, Hisham tells Shafie

KOTA KINABALU: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has invited Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to provide constructive suggestions to the government in view of the latter's scepticism over the suitability of deploying People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

“If he has another alternative, then give it to us.

“It's easy to point fingers, to say this can't, that can't is easy, so what is his alternative?

“Has he forgotten the Kampung Air incident in Semporna?

“If he does not have any other options to give, then you are no different than Tian Chua who said the Lahad Datu incident was just ‘sandiwara' (an act),” he said during his visit to the Royal Malaysian Army (RMA) 5 Briged camp at Kem Lok Kawi in Putatan yesterday.

Hishammuddin clarified that the tasks of Rela in ESSZone are to act as a supporting system for ESSCom and security forces in the east coast.

He however believed that the statement made by Shafie was purely political.

“When he was with us in BN, he never questioned the task of Rela so why now?” he asked.

Shafie, who is Semporna Member of Parliament and former Umno leader had recently questioned the logic behind the deployment of Rela members to the high security ESSZone as they were untrained and not equipped to be based there.