SAPP to Umno's Anifah: Go independent and lead us - The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Jun 27, 2008 By MUGUNTAN VANAR

The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is calling on Umno Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman to lead an independent group of MPs from Sabah and Sarawak.

MPs representing different parties from the two states can move the process of political change forward, SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said in a statement.

Yong said that several MPs from Sabah, Sarawak and peninsular Malaysia have deliberated on the current political scenario in recent days.

“This is the window of opportunity that SAPP has relentlessly reminded our leaders and people to not let slip by,” he said.

Yong said that Anifah, who is Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman's brother, was brave and farsighted to have stepped forward to identify himself with Sabah and its people the issues raised by SAPP.

Anifah has come forward at a time when some other Sabah Barisan parties have turned their guns to attack SAPP in the name of the “Barisan Spirit”, instead of fighting for the people and their state.

Yong claimed that Anifah has refused to subscribe to divide-and-rule tactics and has come up with a fresh angle to the current struggle of Sabah to regain the autonomy of the State of Sabah (and Sarawak) by re-examining Article 161E(4) of the Constitution concerning immigration to the State.

Article 161 touches on the “Safeguards for the constitutional position of States of Sabah and Sarawak”, including matters of citizenship, the jurisdiction of the High Court in Borneo, religion, language and native rights arising from the “Twenty Points” leading to the Malaysia Agreement of 1963.

Anifah on Wednesday said that the Chief Minister of Sabah should head a high level task force to tackle the illegal immigrant problem, as under Article 161, matters of immigration came under the chief minister's jurisdiction.

Over the last four decades, this special position and autonomy have been gradually eroded, whereby power is increasingly concentrated in the central government and its leadership, he added.

Two Sabah MPs recalled home after 'threats' - The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Jun 24, 2008 By MUGUNTAN VANAR

The two MPs of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) have been recalled home to Sabah for security reasons, said party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

He claimed that the two MPs – Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) – had been threatened by certain quarters over SAPP’s decision to support a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister.

The two MPs, who were in Kuala Lumpur to attend the Parliament meeting which began yesterday, were told to return immediately.

“In view of this disturbing turn of events, SAPP has taken extra precautions for the safety of the MPs by calling them back to the party headquarters for consultations on the next course of action, including the safety of their persons, families and the security of their offices,” Yong said.

Heading home: Majimbum and Dr Chua

He said that ever since SAPP announced the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister on June 18, the SAPP had been advised by “friendly parties not to underestimate the risky consequences and likely threats to SAPP and its leaders.”

“Events in the last 24 hours have taken a disturbing turn. Among others, we have received reports of intimidation and bullying (against us),” he said.

Yong said the two MPs and their aides had received SMS messages and unidentified phone calls implying threats.

Other threats included several illegal banners instigating unspecified actions against Dr Chua appearing overnight in Tawau and a planned demonstration at her office in Tawau scheduled for today.

SAPP had advised Tawau officials to lodge police reports, not to provoke the demonstrators and to take leave from the office until the tension had eased, he said in a statement.

In Kota Kinabalu, Yong claimed that aggressive words touching on racial incitement were used at a Sepanggar Barisan Nasional gathering held at the Umno headquarters on Saturday.

“SAPP truly appreciates and is very encouraged by the tremendous outpouring of support for the SAPP’s move on a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister,” he said.

“Our perseverance on this course of action is very much helped in knowing that the people are with us.”

He said Malaysians from peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak have also come forward to support its cause.

“We can feel the pent up frustrations of ordinary Malaysians who want change, a change for the better,” Yong said.

He said SAPP felt overwhelmed with the discussion in the printed media, on the Internet and on blogs, and through e-mail and SMS messages “be it in favour or not of SAPP, that have successfully brought the Sabah issues into the national focus.”

When asked to comment on Yong's statement that Majimbun and Dr Chua had not turned up in Parliament yesterday because they had received death threats, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said “they were making things up”.

“In Malaysia we don’t go to that extent. It’s ridiculous. They must be joking. Who is going to threaten them? Barisan doesn’t do that,” he said

Upko undecided on no-confidence vote - The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Jun 22, 2008 By MUGUNTAN VANAR

Upko has not decided on which way to go should a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister come up in Parliament, its deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing said.

However, party president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had earlier said the party had "no plans to play hero" during such a vote.

Bumburing said whatever the decision, Upko would participate in any debate should the vote come up.

"We cannot deny that we share Sabah Progressive Party’s views on issues pertaining to the migrant problem.

"We are firm about this and we are unhappy about so called Cabinet Committee to tackle Sabah’s illegal immigrant woes," he said.

Bumburing said a similar committee set up in 2002 had only one meeting.

"It's almost forgotten and now they are talking of the same thing,” he said, adding that a Royal Commission of Inquiry was a better option as it would be able to act on the problem firmly.

Upko has four MPs – party president and Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Bumburing who is Tuaran MP, Datuk Dr Marcus Majigoh (Putatan MP) and Datuk Siringan Gubat (Ranau MP).

Meanwhile, Sepanggar Barisan Nasional membes held a protest over their MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun’s support for the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

A large number of members from various component parties in the division demonstrated at the Sepanggar Umno office here and said the no-confidence motion did not have the endorsement of the parties in the area.

Among the component parties represented were Umno, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, MCA and Gerakan.

Those present demanded that Eric respect the Barisan leadership under Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Karambunai Umno assemblyman Datuk Jainab Ahmad, whose constituency is within the Sepanggar parliamentary constituency, slammed Eric and SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and accused them of trying to break up the national coalition.

"Taking such a step without consulting us shows that they don’t believe in the Barisan spirit and consensus,” Jainab said, adding that as Umno leaders they strongly condemned SAPP’s move of no confidence.

PBS Sepanggar division head Darwi Abdullah called Yong a traitor to the voters and said he should just leave the coalition.

SAPP may be issued show-cause letter - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Jun 21, 2008

Barisan Nasional is considering issuing a show-cause letter to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) for deciding to go ahead with a move to support a no-confidence vote against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

On Friday, the SAPP supreme council endorsed its president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's call to support a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister in Parliament on Monday.

Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told mstar.com.my that he would discuss this with Abdullah, the coalition's chairman.

"I will ask for Abdullah's views for SAPP to be slapped with a show-cause letter on its decision to go ahead with a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister," he added.

"Barisan is like a family. They (SAPP) are like a son who wants to remain in the family but cannot get along with the father," he said.

Tengku Adnan said he believed the motion would not be tabled on Monday because several procedures must be adhered to first.

"Furthermore, until Sunday, the motion had yet to be filed. If it is accepted, it will have to go through certain procedures and I don't think it will be proposed in Parliament on Monday as claimed by SAPP," he said.

Yong Denies Being Offered DPM's Post

KOTA KINABALU, June 21 (Bernama)

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee has described Umno Youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin's inkling of him being offered the deputy prime minister's post as absurd.

"I don't dream of becoming Deputy Prime Minister. Perhaps, because I was loud in voicing out issues affecting Sabah he can say anything, talking like an insane man.

"If not because superb victories of Sabah and Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN)... BN would have fallen in the last election. So, what's wrong with us asking for little attention.

"Khairy is a young man. He has to learn a lot," Yong said during a meet-the-people function at the Likas multipurpose hall near here Saturday.

Khairy said Friday that Yong's criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was believed due to him being taken in by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's offer.

He said he was made to understand that Yong would be appointed to the number two post in government if Anwar who is former deputy prime minister, became Prime Minister.

Yong said he was not greedy pursuing for posts in government.

"I was offered senatorship and become Special Envoy to Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) but I did not accept it because I saw it as a political bribe so that I stop raising Sabah issues.

"Had I accepted the post... I would have gained but what I am championing are the interests of the Sabah people and state and not for personal sake," he said.

Yong said the attempt by certain parties to use the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to "intimidate" him so that he abandon his fight for the Sabah people was a political threat.

"Even if I were to be imprisoned, many other Sabah leaders can continue the struggle for Sabah people," he said.

Friday, ACA Director-General Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the agency would investigate the SAPP president in connection with graft totalling RM5 million allegedly occurring when he was Sabah Chief Minister.

On "political autonomy", Yong said Sabah had the right for it to reduce federal government's intervention in state administration.

"Presently... the appointment of the chief minister, ministers even BN candidates are all decided in Kuala Lumpur... everything referred to Kuala Lumpur.

"So, the time has come for Sabah to be given political autonomy so that what was provided under the constitution is decided by the Sabah people themselves," he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Yong said SAPP would undergo a rebranding exercise to strengthen the party including its membership.

"Some people perceive SAPP as a party representing the Chinese. Actually, SAPP is multiracial and this is why we are carrying out rebranding," he said.

He also said SAPP would hold briefing sessions on current issues statewide from Saturday.

Asked whether SAPP would take action on its deputy president, Datuk Raymond Tan, who disagreed with the decision of the party's Supreme Council on moving a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister, Yong said it would not.

‘Sandakan rebellion’ fomenting within SAPP - The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Jun 21, 2008

The split emerging from within the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has been dubbed the “Sandakan rebellion” as it is being led by party leaders of the east coast of the state.

Party deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah is the assemblyman for Tanjung Papat which is in Sandakan. With him is party youth chief Au Kam Wah, who is assemblyman of Elopura which is also in Sandakan.

They are expected to secure the support of former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Tham Nyip Shen, an ex-Elopura assemblyman.

“Whatever action I am taking from now is on my own prerogative,” said Tan, who is Deputy Chief Minister and state Infrastructure Development Minister.

He and Au were seen leaving immediately after yesterday’s SAPP supreme council meeting and did not stay for the press conference.

He later told The Star that he was preparing to brief Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman as to what had transpired at the meeting.

Tan said at the meeting, he told members that the party could not proceed with the motion against the Prime Minister after deciding to remain in the ruling coalition.

“How could we move a motion against the very leader of the coalition to which we belong? That is utterly confusing,” he said.

He added that meeting dragged on for hours when the SAPP supreme council members debated at length over the matter.

“There was no consensus on the motion against the Prime Minister. There was a split,” Tan said.

When contacted, Au said he supported Tan’s motion at the supreme council to reject Yong’s no-confidence move.

He however was reluctant to say if he was moving in tangent with Tan in the so-called Sandakan rebellion.

Tan to stay on in SAPP even if party expelled - The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Jun 21, 2008 By RUBEN SARIO

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan said he intends to remain in the party even if it is expelled from Barisan Nasional over its no-confidence move against the Prime Minister.

Tan, who is openly opposing SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's no-confidence move, said he felt the party that he joined at its formation in 1994 needed him even more now.

He told reporters here on Saturday that he would not entertain any invitation to join other Barisan Nasional component parties “for now.”

Tan, a Deputy Chief Minister, told reporters at the Kota Kinabalu international airport here before flying before flying back to Sandakan that he was also prepared to face the consequences of opposing Yong over the no-confidence move.

Tan said he was appealing to federal leaders not to take any action against SAPP leaders and members that would be perceived as attempts to threaten them.

He said he was shocked at Yong's disclosure in the midst of the SAPP supreme council meeting on Friday that the Anti Corruption Agency was investigating him for a case dating back some 12 years.