The Malaysian Insight

THERE are no laws to preventing Penang-born Loh Ee Eng, a naturalised Sabahan, from being  nominated as a state assemblyman, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said today.

Loh, the state DAP treasurer, has lives in Sabah for many years, Shafie said, dismissing calls for a review of his appointment as one of the state legislative assembly’s appointed reps.

“There will be no review on that. It has been suggested and forwarded by the party and therefore, we must respect DAP’s proposal.

“As a Malaysian and a naturalised Sabahan, as well as being a voter in Sabah, Loh is eligible,” Shafie told reporters at the state government’s Hari Raya celebrations in Kota Kinabalu.

The Warisan-led state government has been criticised by opposition parties Umno and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) over Loh’s appointment.

His nomination came in as a result of DAP’s victory in the Sandakan by-election on March 11, and is under the party’s quota for appointment assemblymen.

Loh was born in Penang and moved to Sabah 40 years ago with his parents. He was given permanent resident status in Sabah in 1999 and is also a recipient of the Ahli Darjah Kinabalu medal by the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

PBS had accused Shafie’s government of failing to honour the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement by allowing Loh’s appointment. A Sabah Umno leader also accused Warisan of violating its “Sabahans for Sabah” slogan.

Shafie said there was no use politicising Loh’s appointment as the state government was focused on more pressing issues.

“There are still Sabahans looking for jobs and trying to make a living. Bringing about better development is more important for us to move forward at present,” he said.

Also present at the state Hari Raya Open house today were his three deputy chief ministers, Christina Liew, Wilfred Madius Tangau and Jaujan Sambokong, as well as other state cabinet members. – June 9, 2019.