New opposition parties not a threat

Friday, November 18, 2016

By Olivia Miwil

Personality: Umno youth deputy permanent chairman Bahrul Razha Chuprat. 
Q1. How would the current Malaysia- Philippine relations benefit people of Sabah?

Answer:
The recent green light by Philippines to Malaysia to conduct hot pursuit to chase after kidnappers entering Philippine waters could possibly reduce kidnapping cases and improve security in East Coast of Sabah.

Its President Rodrigue Duterte had also intended to provide assistance in the form of hospitals and schools for the Filipinos while the gradual repatriation is taking place.

The assistance could help to reduce the healthcare cost borne by Malaysian government.

Q2. Is the government doing enough in terms of cross-border crime especially kidnapping cases in the east coast of Sabah?

Answer: 
While the government is doing its best in delivering better services for the people, there are times certain issues cannot be solved immediately.

For instance, people have been questioning on capability and effectiveness of Eastern Sabah Security Command but there were limits such as the international laws that prevent encroachment into Philippine waters.

The delay of government efforts in securing Malaysian hostages often being criticised by the public but people have to understand the authority has been working on negotiations.

Some of the negotiations details are sensitive and not meant to be shared publicly. Most important is hostages are kept alive and released.

Q3: Is Umno popular among youth in Sabah?

Answer:
Sabah Umno Youth Chief Yamani Hafez Musa, who thinks alike as the Gen-Y generation, has taken different approach to better understand the young people in the state.

One of them is to engage university students to get benefits from activities organised by Umno.

Umno party in Sabah is not only stable but peaceful because the people are able to live harmoniously among other races.  

With the nature of the party, I believe young generation in Sabah is able to evaluate which political party is significant although most of them are nonpartisan.

Q4: Will the new state-based opposition parties affect Umno in Sabah?

Answer
The emerging of new state-based opposition parties such as Parti Warisan Sabah with similar slogan of “Sabah for Sabahans” are not likely to pose threat to Umno.

Unless all of them contest under United Sabah Alliance during the 14th general election, opposition will remain as parties “mushrooming” for a brief moment in the state.

Even former Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who is the current president of Parti Warisan Sabah and Semporna MP, will not necessarily win over Umno stronghold during the election.

Umno, with a long history in Sabah, has been taking similar approach as US president elect Donald Trump who went to the ground instead of relying on the media.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has been urging umno leaders and members to meet and listen to the people to deliver better governance. 

Q5: What is your expectation in the upcoming Umno general assembly 2016?

Answer

I hope the assembly will produce concrete strategy to win young voters especially in peninsular Malaysia.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ) is a youth icon and there should be more KJ in the party as a game changer for Umno politics.


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