By Olivia Miwil - October 8, 2020 @ 7:00pm
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) is holding fast to its principle that any political party whose ideas contradict Sabah's multicultural values should be rejected.
STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, in saying this, however said that the appointment of Pas' Dr Aliakbar Gulasan to the Sabah state assembly, is the prerogative of the chief minister.
Pas leaders, he said, have time and again issued statements that upset the feelings and sentiments of Sabahans, which he noted was multicultural and multi-religious.
"Sabahans do not need a political party to teach them about unity between religions.
"Sabah is a shining example of multi-religious unity together with our neighbour Sarawak," he said in a statement, noting he was aware of public disapproval when a Pas leader made an erroneous statement that offended the Christian community in Sabah and Sarawak.
The Tambunan assemblyman, however, said his statement should not be construed as an attack on Aliakbar's personality, saying that the latter, who is a Sabahan, is in touch with the reality of Sabah.
He added the appointment of nominated assemblymen is the prerogative of the chief minister.
"Aliakbar is a nominated assemblyman with no ministerial duty. He has not been appointed to the Law and Native Affairs Ministry as rumoured by DAP and Parti Warisan Sabah.
"Therefore, I would urge all STAR members and the public at large to remain calm and not give in to the taunts and insults thrown at them by the opposition. Playing politics all the time would not get us anywhere."
Jeffrey, who is Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, had previously denied the inclusion of a Sabah assemblyman in the assembly.
However, Aliakbar was among those who participated in the swearing-in of five ministers, 18 assemblymen and an appointed assemblyman, which took place at the Istana Negeri on Thursday.
Meanwhile, former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman congratulated the members of the new Sabah cabinet.
"I would also like to congratulate Datuk Kadzim Yahya for being appointed as the Sabah assembly speaker. I believe he will be able to execute his duty fairly and justly.
"I also pray for the state cabinet line up to give their best for the people of Sabah regardless of their background. There will be many challenges to be faced including the spread of Covid-19 and the poor economic outlook."
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