Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal will seriously think about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s suggestion that he be made a candidate for the country’s ninth prime minister.
Shafie today said he could not make any decision now as he had to consult with his colleagues first.
The Parti Warisan Sabah president said this was not something he could decide on his own, but added that he would definitely give it some serious thoughts.
“We appreciate this, and I am grateful that my name was even suggested,” he said.
Shafie said it was not easy to even get this sort of suggestion, let alone have his name suggested.
Asked whether he still trusted Mahathir after several U-turns and unfulfilled promises to Sabah when he was PM, Shafie said this was not the only issue to consider.
“We need to evaluate and see what is the best for the state and for nation-building, ” he said.
Shafie said he would most likely announce something more concrete within a month.
Mahathir recently made it clear in a press statement that he is endorsing Shafie for the Prime Minister post.
The statement was issued after a video emerged on social media showing him saying that he is no longer aiming for the post, but will campaigning for Shafie instead.
The former premier disclosed he had a meeting with groups supporting him and his colleagues from the Amanah, Warisan and DAP on June 25 at Rumah Tetamu Sabah, Kuala Lumpur.
The meeting had also agreed to propose Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Deputy Prime Minister 1 while Mahathir’s son, Mukhriz as Deputy Prime Minister 2 candidates.