Time for Jeffrey to walk the talk -
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has been asked to show proof to support his allegations on illegal immigrants problem in Sabah, and to start walking the talk.
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has been asked to show proof to support his allegations.
The call came from United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) secretary general, Nelson W. Angang who said: “I read with interest the statement issued by Sabah Star president and the Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan on his intention of holding a public forum to seek views on how to resolve the illegal immigrants problem in Sabah and at the same time accusing the Warisan-led state government of favouring illegal immigrants to come and stay in Sabah”.
Nelson said there seemed to be a lot of serious and dangerously false allegations made by Jeffrey against the current Sabah State Government without offering any solid proof of the matter.
“One of the allegations seems to indicate that the previous PH federal government proposal for the introduction of the Sabah Temporary Pass (STP) is akin to the state government favouring the illegal immigrants to stay in Sabah.
“Not surprisingly, he had ommitted the fact and explaination that the proposal came from the Federal government through the Home Ministry whose Minister then is the now current Prime Minister of which Jeffrey is now serving as part of his cabinet,” said Nelson.
Nelson said that Jeffrey also seemed baffled of the fact that the STP was a proposal to find a solution to the refugees problem in Sabah and was not about giving documentation to illegal immigrants.
“If they can’t even distinguish the difference between what is a refugee and illegal immigrants then what hope do we have for them to find a solution,” lamented Nelson.
He added that eventually, the STP proposal was scrapped after considering public sentiment was against the matter.
“To reach the ideal of an effective policy, it is normal for the government to propose the introduction of certain policy and recommendation for a solution. The ideal of public reason is central to democratic political solution such as the creation of a government policy or laws through the process of deliberation between the government and the public. It is through debates that is ‘fair and honest’ that the democratic legitimacy of a policy emerges.
“For example, through the previous PH federal government proposal of STP, the federal government gave a proposal and after having gone through public debates and having considered public acceptance of such proposal, it was then decided not to proceed with it,” he explained.
He further stated that these were the traits of a fair, honest and a responsible government.
“Be brave in proposing for a solution and if it is not accepted then be responsible enough to concede and move on.
“It is not a popularity contest. Being a government is not about protecting your pride but by making tough decisions such as putting forward a proposal that may or may not be popular but which the government believes to be a solution,” he said.
Nelson urged Jeffrey and Star to appreciate the fact that they are now in the driving seat and stop thinking that they can still continue playing it safe and appealing to the popular sentiments of the people as if they are still in the opposition.
“Taking this approach is no longer a luxury that they can afford. It’s time for them to walk the talk; the clock is ticking and the people are waiting. At least make it worthwhile being part of the current federal government after the role you played in creating havoc to the country in the fall of the majority elected PH government,” said Nelson.
He also reminded that they were now in a position to effect change.
“But the best they could offer is holding a public forum to get feedback and suggestion from the public rather than proposing concrete solutions.
“You would think after all these years they would at least have some suggestions. I would understand holding a public forum to get feedback regarding a proposal that has been made so that we can have a healthy and effective debate about such proposal,” he chided.
“But clearly what they are doing is purely diverting and delaying. From demonizing and putting seriously false allegations towards the current state government and finally leading to organising a forum without any proposal is clearly playing to the gallery and sentiments of the people.
“Don’t pollute the sanctity of the institution of being a government by producing smokescreen to divert what should be obvious and that is for them to now lead and deliver what they have preached all this while.
“Perhaps because they don’t want to lose the position being the populist choice that they believe they have gained thus far being in the opposition before.
“Perhaps they know that whatever proposal they may have it may not be sustainable or that it may not be to the liking of the people.
“Therefore the safest way is to hold a public forum, and hide behind the sentiments of the people. With this kind of approach, there is no leadership.
“With all your criticism and attacks on the proposals and recomendations made by the previous federal governments and state government; when it comes to the crunch; nothing. Silence is indeed deafening,” Nelson concluded.