Shafie Upcoming Election Is For Sabahans To Choose An Effective Chief Minister

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KOTA KINABALU: The upcoming state election is about Sabahans choosing a Chief Minister who can deliver, says opposition Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Speaking at Warisan’s Chinese New Year open house on Saturday (Feb 8), Shafie said this election is not about selecting a Prime Minister but determining local leadership.
"It is not about who will be the Prime Minister. It is about who will be the Chief Minister. So let the people of Sabah decide who they want," he said.
He said that Sabah must have autonomy to prioritise the needs of its people, but this does not mean the state cannot collaborate with the federal government.
"We are part of the federal unity government. We need to support the federal government in the administration of the nation.
"At the Sabah level, the people should have the right to choose their own leader, for the betterment of both the present and future generations," he said.
Shafie pointed out that Sabahans, through their own local parties, played a key role in forming Malaysia in 1963.
Regarding Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s call for support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to secure a fresh mandate, Shafie criticised the state government for failing to bring meaningful progress. He said that even basic needs such as water and electricity remain unresolved and, in some cases, have worsened.
"They have had nearly five years to govern. People can see the reality of the situation, and in this coming election, they will have the choice to elect a Chief Minister who can truly work for them," he said.
Shafie was responding to Hajiji’s recent appeal for the people to grant GRS-Pakatan Harapan another term to implement the second phase of the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan from 2026 to 2030.
"What have they achieved in terms of job opportunities for our people, or even in providing basic necessities like water and electricity?
"No country in the world experiences daily water or electricity cuts and rationing as we do.
"Are we any better off after five years of GRS rule? If real progress had been made, Sabah would been well ahead instead of still grappling with these basic problems," he said.
Shafie, a former Chief Minister, also expressed concern over allegations of high-profile corruption involving GRS government leaders while ordinary people continue to struggle with the rising living costs.
He cited a recent case where a motorcyclist was killed in Kota Kinabalu after being thrown six metres when he hit a pothole, calling it a stark example of the GRS government’s failure to ensure road safety.
"The Chief Minister increased the road maintenance budget from RM300mil to RM400mil—where is this money going?" he asked. - Star

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