By Rebecca Chong
Sukau rep Saddi joins Warisan
SANDAKAN: Sukau assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman yesterday announced that he had decided to join Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan).
Saddi, who left Umno on August 1, 2018 after the last general election to become an independent assemblyman, said the main reason he wants to join Warisan is to fight for the development of Sukau, and that if he stayed in the opposition or as an independent assemblyman, there was less hope of development in Sukau.
“After taking the development of Sukau into consideration for the people of Sukau, I decided that I could not stay with the opposition nor could I stay as an independent. So, I decided to join Warisan.
“I hope the people of Sukau will understand my decision and not cast aspersions on my move,” he said at a press conference held at Sabah Hotel here yesterday.
Saddi also said that during his time as an independent assemblyman for almost five months, he had been closely monitoring the direction and moves taken by Warisan under the leadership of its president and also Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“I am very drawn to the aspirations that the party stands for. It is a local party that fights for Sabahans. It is pushing for Sabah’s rights under MA63 and for a fair share of the oil royalty for Sabah. I also respect and am particularly impressed with Shafie’s decision not to be part of Pakatan Harapan, but to stand on its own and cooperate with Pakatan Harapan to form the government instead.
“With this, I believe that Warisan, under the leadership of Shafie, would be the right party that is in line with my ideals( in politics),” he said.
Saddi disclosed that he had a discussion with Shafie for two hours before making his decision, and that he is not demanding for any position in the party, except to request that Shafie considers implementing the development plan that he has prepared for Sukau.
“Shafie has given the green light for this,” he claims.
When Saddi was first elected Sukau assemblyman in 2008, he had laid out a Pekan Baru Sukau development blueprint which was supposed to be implemented from 2010 to 2020.
The Sukau development blueprint was the result of an intensive study by the Institute for Development Studies Sabah, and the initial report was prepared and submitted to the previous government last year. However, the plan was put on hold by the previous government in view of 14th general election this year. The aim of the development plan is mainly to create a new district in Sukau so that it will have its own district administrative office. Presently, Sukau is under the jurisdiction of the Kinabatangan administrative office and the Sandakan Municipal Council.
This creates a hassle for the people of Sukau as not only are they divided under two administrations, they also need to travel long distance for official matters.
“So the main components of this development plan include creating a new district administration for Sukau, construction of a second bridge in Sukau, and construction of infrastructures, such as roads and schools.
“As a candidate during the last general election, I have promised the Rakyat these (components), and of course, I wish to fulfil my promise through the Warisan government today,” he said.
Saddi said he will submit his membership form to Shafie before the next State Assembly sitting on Thursday. Also present to show support for Saddi were Warisan supreme council member cum Karamunting assemblyman, George Hiew Vun Zin, Sekong assemblyman cum assistant minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, Arifin Asgali, political secretary, Pangeran Roslan Pangeran Nasrun, and Sukau Warisan head, Mahmud Tasan, and other Warisan leaders.