Opposition supporters feel betrayed by leaders
KOTA KINABALU: Opposition supporters felt betrayed by the presence of top opposition leaders during the launching of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sabah recently, said Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri).
Its acting secretary general, Milkusin Abdillah Sulai, said the people of Sabah, who are distrustful of the ruling government and who have been fighting for the restoration of state rights as spelled out in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) would now see the true colours and shadow politics used by doubtful opposition political leaders.
He said these Bersatu-friendly opposition political leaders should now explain their frequent trips to Kuala Lumpur for private meetings with the Prime Minister, their presence during Bersatu Sabah launching and their open support for the Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
These opposition political leaders should tell Sabahans whether or not Dr Mahathir has agreed to the key Sabah demands for the restoration of state rights and its constitutional status as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia, he said.
“Opposition political leaders should stop their unrealistic tactic of using PPBM to topple the PH-Warisan government,” Milkusin said.
“The Prime Minister has said that Bersatu's entry to Sabah was to strengthen, not remove the PHWarisan government led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. To think or assume otherwise is sheer stupidity or at best ignorance,” he opined.
Milkusin said Anak Negeri was surprised that Sabah opposition leaders could not read the signs on the wall that Bersatu was only interested in the five former Umno members of parliament to boost their representation in Parliament, not the opposition support.
He added that the nine former Umno state assemblymen who joined Bersatu was an added bonus to help its Sabah allies, the PH-Warisan plus UPKO ruling coalition, consolidate power for the next four years.
“In all probability, these opposition leaders who attended the Bersatu Sabah launching may have been duped into thinking that they will soon form the Sabah Government with the help of Bersatu and with the blessing of the Prime Minister.
For that matter, Milkusin said with DAP Sabah demanding opposition leaders, who attended the Bersatu Sabah launch, to support the constitutional amendment, they are now trapped by their own antics.
He said Anak Negeri neither oppose nor support Bersatu's entry to Sabah as it was their right to do so under the law, but opposition political parties have no reason to show their faces in a political function helmed by a ruling political party as it could confuse their own supporters and give the wrong impression about their commitment to the opposition agenda.
“If indeed it is true, there are secret deals between individual opposition leaders and the Prime Minister, their supporters, who are not in the know, should be told.
Milkusin said Anak Negeri must remain as an opposition political party in the light of changing political circumstances due to the apparent friendly relation between GBS and Bersatu, a key member of the ruling PH coalition.