On Nov 17 last year, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz admitted in Parliament that certain places in Sabah remained unsafe for tourists.
In response, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun also said Nazri’s statement did not make “logical sense”.
But Nazri replied by saying that he was speaking the truth about Sabah security.
Yesterday’s daring and shocking kidnapping incident at Ocean King Seafood Restaurant by Sandakan seafront where two people hostage were taken hostage has proven Nazri right.
Each time after an abduction happened, there will be explanations and assurances by the federal government and the police. So what will be the federal government’s excuses and excuses for this incident? What will be the new assurances?
In my satirical video titled “Onederful Malaysia 2014 CNY”, I had highlighted the people’s concern about Sabah security following the 2013 murder of a Taiwanese tourist and the kidnapping of his wife at Pom Pom Island off Sabah.
Instead of taking heed of the video message and taking the effective measures to resolve the people’s concern, some BN politicians chose to twist my message and made false and malicious allegations against me, accusing me of belittling our armed forces.
In May last year, I was charged under the Sedition Act over my satirical video. As at yesterday, the case is still at the mention stage.
Yesterday’s incident has certainly proven that one cannot deny what is the truth. Nazri spoke the truth. Sabahans know the truth. My satirical video certainly conveyed the truth.
When the abduction incident occurred at a fish farm at Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu on May 6 last year, I had said that if the Prime Minister truly listened to the people, he would know the three questions which Sabahans were asking:-
- Can ESSOCOM really provide the safety?
- Can we trust the Government’s assurances?
- Will heads roll for the latest security breach?
These questions are certainly still relevant and valid today.
When launching the Kota Belud people’s Housing Project in Sabah recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib declared “I owe Sabah”.
“Sabah has a lot of potential, and we (BN) must ensure that Sabah gets balanced development. We (BN) have also not forgotten the deeds of the people to BN,” he said.
I wish to remind the Prime Minister that he still owes Sabahans satisfactory answers to their concern about security. He must not forget that Sabahans want security, besides balanced development.