THE appointment of a PAS leader into the Sabah legislative assembly will likely create a backlash for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said an analyst.

“This appointment will create some controversy although it is the prerogative of Chief Minister Hajiji Noor,” said UiTM Sabah senior political science lecturer Dr Firdausi Suffian.

Firdausi told The Malaysian Insight that while Dr Aliakbar Gulasan’s appointment has its own merits, the move will create backlash for GRS, particularly among the Kadazandusun and Murut.

“And it is likely that the opposition will use this appointment to attack GRS,” said Firdausi.

In August, PAS Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh told Parliament that “the Bible is distorted or changed” during the debate on increasing the penalties for drink-driving offences.

Despite the backlash from Sabah and Sarawak Christian communities, Nik Zawawi stood his ground and refused to apologise.

Following the incident, PAS decided not to contest in last month’s Sabah elections but has now been appointed to the state assembly instead.

Unlike Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak voters have generally shunned PAS because of its hard-line stance on issues, such as hudud, gambling and drinking.

Hajiji made history by appointing PAS Sabah secretary Aliakbar as one of five appointed assemblymen.

The Sabah chief minister appointed another five assemblymen.

The other appointed reps are former chief minister Yong Teck Lee, Umno’s Suhaimi Nasir and Raimie Unggi, and Bersatu’s Jaffari Walliam and Aminah Yassin.

UndiSabah activist and lawyer Mahirah Marzuki also voiced her disappointment over the appointment.

“I didn’t vote for GRS but I’m definitely not supportive of it. PAS was never popular in Sabah and for them to be appointed to the state assembly is disappointing because the people never chose them.

“I’m not sure if the PAS version of Islam is compatible with East Malaysia after they criticised the Bible and all,” said Mahirah.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan described Aliakbar’s appointment as “unfortunate”, saying it has already opened the state government to criticism and ridicule from the opposition.

Kitingan said while the appointment was the prerogative of the chief minister, STAR remains steadfast in its principle that any party whose ideals are not compatible with Sabah’s multicultural values and sensitivity should be rejected and rebuffed.

“PAS leaders have time and again issued statements that upset the feelings and sentiments of multicultural and multireligious Sabah.

“Sabahans do not need a political party to teach them about unity between religions,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The Sabah Council of Churches which was against the appointment of a PAS leader as Sabah assemblyman, and PBS president Dr Maximus Ongkili have not responded to telephone calls or text messages from The Malaysian Insight. – October 9, 2020.