Star information chief, Anuar Ghani, criticized the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi for Sabah parties to cooperate with Malaya-based parties, calling it overt political pressure.
He said the PM’s statement that Sabah’s ruling “requires consensus and collaboration with Malaya-based Parties” threatens Sabahans’ rights to freely choose their leaders.
“The people of Sabah should not be subtly threatened that they will be punished if they choose local Parties that do not align with the Federal Government. Sabah should be treated fairly and as a constitutional equal partner,” he said.
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He warned that the inclusion of Malayan parties is an attempt to make UMNO relevant in Sabah, where locals want leadership by their own parties, like in Sarawak.
“Local Sabah leaders in the federal cabinet must act as the bridge and messenger, governed by local party presidents, not branch managers of Malayan Parties.
"The PM’s statement has raised political awareness among the people of Sabah and strengthened their support for local Parties to fight for the rights, autonomy and justice of the State of Sabah,” he stressed.