KOTA KINABALU: Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) president Datuk Peter Anthony has criticised the statement by GRS Deputy Chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who accused the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of using only rhetoric to develop Sabah.
He said that the USNO president
should take a ‘long hard look’ in the mirror
before doubting the prime minister’s sincerity in solving the problems in the state.
While serving in the government for a long time, Peter claimed that Pandikar had never spoken out on the issues he was now bringing up.
“It hasn’t even been a year since Anwar took office as prime minister, so give him room to do his job. There’s no need to press too hard.
“Looking at yourself first, Pandikar, don’t be a hypocrite. You’ve been in the government for so long, why didn’t he voice it first when he became Speaker?
“Before charging all kinds of things with the Prime Minister, first strengthen your position. Say you collect a billion ringgit in taxes. Where does the money go? Not to mention the story of ‘goats eating sand’,” he said in a statement today.
The’sand-eating goat’ involved is believed to refer to the goat breeding project on Bambangan Island, Kudat, that was previously controversial.
Peter made this comment in response to Pandikar’s declaration, which demanded that the Prime Minister keep the government’s promises to Sabah—not just talk (rhetoric).
The video of Pandikar’s statement was also posted on the official Facebook page of the Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, believed to be after a solidarity programme demanding the rights of Sabah in Keningau recently.
Peter said Anwar is the only prime minister who is very committed to restoring the rights of Sabah and Sarawak.
“So we give him (Anwar) space. Since he became Prime Minister, many initiatives have been implemented that benefit Sabah.
“Pandikar’s actions are as if the Prime Minister or the government did nothing at all,” he said.
In the meantime, Peter also advised Pandikar and GRS to resolve their internal problems first before slamming and loudly criticising the Unity Government.
He said GRS should be clear in their support for the Unity Government instead of ‘bathing in two pools’.
“GRS supports the Unity Government, but there are their leaders under the leadership of Perikatan Nasional (PN); everyone knows (Datuk) Yong Teck Lee is with PN.
“State your position clearly; solve your own problems first,” he said.
