KOTA KINABALU, Nov 17: The Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led Federal Government has never regarded Sabah as an adversary, said DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke.
Loke, who is also the Minister of Transport, reiterated that PH sought to serve as a constructive and value-adding partner in any future coalition government, assuring Sabahans that PH remained firmly committed to the state’s aspirations.
“I want to reassure Sabahans that the PH Federal Government is a Sabah-friendly government. There is no reason for us to be in conflict with Sabah,” he said in a statement here.
He said PH was not entering the 17th Sabah state election with a chief ministerial candidate but instead aimed to function as a bridge between the Sabah government and Putrajaya, thus ensuring strong cooperation and the smooth implementation of development policies.
“Our role is to ensure a harmonious relationship between the state and federal governments, especially on key matters such as the 40 per cent revenue entitlement (for Sabah),”. he said.
Therefore, he urged Sabah voters, particularly those in urban constituencies where DAP and PH were contesting, to vote strategically and consider the long-term impact of their decisions as well as the risks if an anti-federal coalition took power.
“If a state government that is totally against the federal government comes to power, the next five years will be full of politicking, arguments and emotional rhetoric. That will not solve Sabah’s long-term issues,” he said.
He said confrontational politics would only slow development projects and hinder progress for the people.
Loke said that although Sabahans often favoured local parties, it was also important to have representation from national parties that formed the federal administration.
“There needs to be balance. Having PH representatives in Sabah will create a win-win situation, ensuring strong federal support and a stable state government,” he added.
— BERNAMA