Choose Sabah government that is aligned with federal government - PM

The Prime Minister said Sabah will be more successful if it is by Perikatan Nasional (PN) together with parties aligned with it.

“I have no right to decide (who should form the state government), but you do. It is in a state election like this that will test the voters’ wisdom to choose the government that is capable of managing all issues in a proper manner,” he said at the meet-and-greet event with the locals here today.

Also present were Bersatu vice-chairman cum Beluran MP Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, Beaufort MP Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun and PN candidate for Kuala Penyu state seat Datuk Limus Jury.

In front of hundreds of attendees at the event, which was held in compliance with the standard operating procedures to curb the spread of COVID-19, Muhyiddin also shared the experience of PN government in managing the threats of the pandemic across the country.

He said the most extraordinary challenge was during the change of Prime Minister and the transition of power to PN government (without a general election), while at the same time having to make important decisions to curb the spread of COVID-19./p

“You have witnessed it and you now have to wear face masks. Although it was not compulsory, you still comply with the instructions to keep your distance, to wash your hands and to use hand sanitiser.

“This has never been done before in the history of the world, or even Malaysia, but it has to be done and I did it for the country. The government needed to take an immediate and bold action. Or else, COVID-19 would have given a much bigger impact and disaster to the country,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who is PN chairman and Bersatu president, said the government needed to protect the people as a whole, including in Sabah, as they all deserved proper care and protection.

He said the tasks to manage the country during this COVID-19 era were far from finished and more efforts need to be taken to revive the country’s economy.

“This is the matter of leadership. It is important to be able to manage the country in any situation. I am not here to say that I am smart, that I am capable or to brag about myself. I am just trying to say that in any unusual situation, PN will be able to take care of Malaysia,” he said.

Muhyiddin said he appreciated the contributions of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to the state development over the past two years, just as he appreciated the deeds of the former Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman in ensuring development, progress and wellbeing of the Sabah people.

“I don’t deny that my friend Shafie Apdal has done a lot for Sabah. Tan Sri Musa, when he was the chief minister, has also brought so much developments to Sabah.

“I just hope that the PN-led government at the federal level is aligned with the state government is Sabah.

“So what the voters should do? Change it back. Not change it back to be like before, but change for the better,” he said.

The Kuala Penyu state seat is seeing a six-cornered fight between Limus, Parijik @ Fredzex Bagang (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah); Jepri Mapat (Liberal Democratic Party); Nelson W. Angang (UPKO); Cecilia Jompiuh (Parti Cinta Sabah); and Mohd Fadzlee Lee Abdullah (Independent).