HOT NEWS : HISTORY IN THE MAKING

SAPP's vote of no confidence against PM

Wednesday, 18 June 2008
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has lost confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, it said at a press conference here Wednesday.

In the coming sitting of the Parliament session on Monday, its two Members of Parliament will support a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister, the party said.

Whether its MPs table the vote of no confidence, or whether other MPs will do it, would be determined in due course, it said in a statement.

SAPP’s two MPs are Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (P171 Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chu Soon Bui (P190 Tawau).

The party also has four state representatives.

Talk had been rife Wednesday morning that SAPP was going to abandon the Barisan Nasional coalition and defect to the Pakatan Rakyat alliance.

The party is running a poll on its blog, asking members of the public whether it should stay on in Barisan, leave the coalition but remain independent, or join Pakatan.

At press time, there were 532 votes tallied, with 80% (428 votes) asking SAPP to join Pakatan. Only 1% (10 votes) urged it to stay on with Barisan. - The Star

SAPP not pulling out from BN but calls for PM to step down

Wednesday, 18 June 2008
SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the party is not pulling out from the Barisan Nasional but has called for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down because they do not have confidence in his leadership. Yong said the party would make its stand known in Parliament on June 23. - NST

Vote of no confidence against PM on Monday \

KOTA KINABALU, June 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will face a historic no-confidence motion when Parliament sits on Monday.

The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) will initiate the move usually aimed at toppling a sitting government, something that has never happened in Malaysia since independence in 1957.

SAPP said in a press statement that either of its two lawmakers – Dr Chu Soon Bui (Tawau) or Eric Enchin Mahimbun (Sepanggar) – may file the motion with the party having lost confidence in Abullah's government. Alternatively, it will support a no-confidence motion initiated by other Opposition members of parliament.

SAPP also has four state representatives.

There has been a lot said recently about the possible defection of Sabah MPs in BN to the Opposition, culminating in SAPP telling the media yesterday that something decisive is on the cards and will be announced after a high level party meeting this afternoon

Party chief Datuk Yong Teck Lee said in today's press conference that SAPP would remain in the Barisan Nasional until a review of its status by this week.

He expressed disappointment in BN's rule, in particular for not being able to lift Sabah out of its impoverished state and subjecting it to unfair laws and steep taxes.

SAPP has been identified as the party most likely to switch allegiance and join Pakatan Rakyat, the Opposition coalition unofficially led by former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar is reported to have sweetened the crossover move with a list of generous incentives like higher oil royalties for Sabah and even the No 2 job in federal government if his coalition gains control.

Pakatan Rakyat needs 30 defections by BN MPs in order to bring down the present government.

Today's opening salvo by SAPP may well start the actual battle to see which side gains the upper hand in Parliament.

Wednesday June 18, 2008 MYT 4:43:08 PM
SAPP's vote of no confidence against PM (Update 2)

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has lost confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, it said at a press conference here Wednesday.

In the coming sitting of the Parliament session on Monday, its two Members of Parliament will support a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister, the party said.

Whether its MPs table the vote of no confidence, or whether other MPs will do it, would be determined in due course, it said in a statement.

SAPP’s two MPs are Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (P171 Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (P190 Tawau).

The party also has four state representatives.

The statement was read out by Dr Chua and signed by Majimbun, who was overseas on official duties. He will be back for the Parliament sitting next Monday, June 23.

The statement listed four areas of dissatisfaction with Abdullah's premiership:

1) That no concrete action had been taken on the issue of illegal immigrants, despite repeated requests by SAPP and other Barisan component parties;

2) That the government had offered no holistic economic solutions to cushion the blow of the sudden hike in fuel prices, which had greatly burdened the people and threatened further hardcore poverty;

3) That not enough attention had been paid to issues raised by the people of Sabah -- poor delivery systems, corruption, wastage, lack of transparency and accountability -- and that SAPP would have failed in its duty as elected representatives if these issues continued to be ignored; and

4) That the people have lost confidence in Abdullah, and that if he can't perform, he should step aside and make way for another leader to take over.

Talk had been rife Wednesday morning that SAPP was going to abandon the Barisan Nasional coalition and defect to the Pakatan Rakyat alliance.

The party is running a poll on its blog, asking members of the public whether it should stay on in Barisan, leave the coalition but remain independent, or join Pakatan.

At press time, there were 2,828 votes tallied, with 85% (2,411 votes) asking SAPP to join Pakatan. Only 2% (80 votes) urged it to stay on with Barisan, while the remainder suggested it quit Barisan but remained unaligned.

Wednesday June 18, 2008 MYT 8:48:22 PM
SAPP MPs cite reasons for supporting decision

PETALING JAYA: SAPP’s two MPs Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui and Eric Enchin Majimbun said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should make way for other people to take over the country’s leadership if he could not perform.

During a press conference in Kota Kinabalu Wednesday, in which SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee announced the party’s decision to move a no-confidence motion against Abdullah when Parliament convenes this Monday, both Dr Chua and Majimbun issued signed press statements outlining their reasons for supporting their party’s decision.

Dr Chua, said Abdullah should step down due to a lack of action on several national issues and problems concerning Sabah despite repeated requests and appeals by several Sabah MPs from Umno, Upko and herself in Parliament.

“Our sovereignty is threatened,” she added.

She also said Malaysians, especially those in Sabah, had been greatly burdened by the sudden hike in fuel prices and the Government had not come up with a comprehensive plan to counter the issue.

“We will fail as elected representatives if the issues raised by the Sabah people on poor delivery system, corruption, waste of resources and lack of transparency and accountability are ignored,” she said.

Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun said that he didn’t have confidence in Abdullah’s leadership in view of the clash in the dates of the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament in March and the sudden and shocking rise in fuel prices.

Wednesday June 18, 2008 MYT 8:54:19 PM
Yong: Enough is enough (Update 3)

PETALING JAYA: The continued insensitive attitude of the Government towards serious issues in Sabah is the main reason Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) decided to move a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister.

Its president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the party had to make a stand before the “window of opportunity” closed by August after which Sabah would be forgotten again.

“The nation’s attention will switch to MCA and Umno elections, people will be pre-occupied with the fasting month, Hari Raya, school exams and year-end events,” he said in a statement Wednesday.

“Political fatigue in the national mainstream over 'Sabah-Sabah-Sabah' issues will set in.”

He said the momentum for Sabah to recover autonomy, obtain 20% oil royalties instead of the present five per cent and the return of Labuan would be lost.

“Unfair federal laws, excessive taxes and structural imbalances in the economy will remain entrenched. Sabah will remain the poorest state subservient to central leadership.

“The illegal immigrant problem will reach boiling point.

“With our political move, SAPP hereby initiates the political process to claim 20% in oil royalties, which is after the all the natural resource of Sabah,” he added.

Yong said the extra billions could be invested in agriculture, education, capacity-building and achieve self-sufficiency in many areas.

“We can therefore insulate ourselves from external shocks or an economic tsunami,” he said.

He added that the people of Sabah were also suffering from high inflation because of recent “astronomical” and “unexpected” fuel price hikes, which was contrary to a Barisan election promise.

He said fuel prices have caused the business sector to stagnate and predicted that unemployment and social problems would rise.

“But the Government’s responses seem ad-hoc, flip-flop and lacking in foresight with a fire-fighting style,” he said.

Among the problems that Yong said would remain unsolved were poverty eradication, rural development, racial politics, illegal immigrants, crime and drugs.

Wednesday June 18, 2008 MYT 7:58:33 PM
Nazri: No-confidence vote cannot be tabled on MondayBy SHAHANAAZ HABIB


KUALA LUMPUR: The vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi cannot be tabled on Monday as this has to be done in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department who is in charge of Parliament said that under Standing Orders rule 27, a notice for any motion had to be given in writing 14 days in advance.

"So far, no such motion has been given as yet," he said when contacted.

Alternatively, Nazri said the vote of no confidence could be tabled through an emergency motion under Standing Orders rule 18(1).

He said this however had to fulfil three criteria -- it has to be a definite matter, urgent and of public interest.

In such a case, he said, it required only a day's notice.

"It would be up to the Speaker to decide whether to allow it or not. The Speaker wields a lot of power," he said.

Dr.Mahathir wrote:

SAPP

Tiny SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) wants to move a motion of no-confidence in Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Apparently SAPP is still confident in Barisan Nasional.

As expected we hear the usual chorus of pledges by the other BN parties to support Abdullah.

When will BN party leaders wake up to the fact that the majority of Malaysians do not want Dato Seri Abdullah as Prime Minister? It was this inability to appreciate the feelings of the people that led to the disastrous 2008 election results by them.

The peninsular BN parties should realise that they have become irrelevant.

Ignore the people and you will find yourself totally rejected.

Taken from Tun Dr.Mahathir's Blog.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
should make way for other people to take over the country’s leadership
if he could not perform.

Then who is the one should take over if Pak Lah step down? Najib? Anuar Ibrahim? or Datuk Yong himself?

SAPP freezes anti-PM vote for now

The Malaysian Insider

PARLIAMENT, July 7 - The Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) is freezing it's no faith plan against the prime minister to avoid blame for political uncertainty which may include the imposition of a possible Emergency rule.

SAPP Tawau MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui said today the party fears being accused of helping to derail democracy. The party said three weeks ago it lacked faith in Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership and would move or support a no-confidence vote but it came to naught.

"The dynamics of politics have changed over the last two weeks. We feel that SAPP do not want to be made the scapegoats if there is emergency rule or any outcome that affect the public," Chua said after meeting Minister in the Prime Minister's department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and House Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Chua's view reflected public uneasiness over the recent joint exercise by the police and army which resulted in rumours about possible emergency rule.

She also noted the current situation has changed with the Federal Government's moves to solve the party's main concern - illegal immigrants in Sabah.

"The people voice has been heard," Chua said, stressing that she was not going to jump ship from the Barisan Nasional to the opposition.

"I am still in the BN," she told reporters who crowded her re-appearance after missing for two weeks.

Fellow SAPP lawmaker, Datuk Eric Enchin Majibun (BN-Sepanggar) said last week she was unlikely to attend Parliament as her back was giving her trouble.

"The back trouble kept me out for the whole of last week. I was advised by party bosses to get well first. I am still in the BN," she added.

Nazri later told reporters Chua had met to discuss her absence during the last two weeks.

"She was concerned about the possible action the BN would take against her for being absent during the motion on inflation. She had wanted to know if it would affect her," he said.

Nazri said there would be no disciplinary action against her as there were nine other BN lawmakers absent on that day.

"It is normal for some not to attend as they had reasons. Anway BN carried the day and won the vote."

Tuesday July 8, 2008
Tan grateful to SAPP leaders

KOTA KINABALU: SAPP deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan is grateful that his fellow party leaders have decided not to pursue a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister.

“I did not agree with the motion and now (SAPP vice-president and Tawau MP) Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui shares my view.


“A lot of things have been said but basically people will have second thoughts about really getting down to doing it (motion of no confidence),” said Tan, who is Deputy Chief Minister and state Infrastructure Development Minister.

SAPP secretary general Datuk Richard Yong said the stand taken by Dr Chua was that of the party’s.

“It is the party’s stand in view of various events that have taken place since our announcement of a planned no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

“We don’t want to be the scapegoat for anything that might come about from the current political situation.”

On Sunday night, SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee chaired a meeting with senior party leaders. He issued a statement asking members to be cautious over the current political situation in Kuala Lumpur.

Upko deputy president and Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Bumburing said that the development was good for political stability.

“SAPP must have done some soul searching. It’s their right to make such a decision,” he added.

Liberal Democratic Party president Datuk V.K. Liew said the SAPP decision was the most “sensible” thing to do.

“This is in view of the fact that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is a hardworking and solid leader.”

The Backbenchers Club’s deputy chairman and Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Moktar Radin hoped “bygones would be bygones.”

“Now, we should concentrate on developing Sabah,” he added.

Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh congratulated the SAPP for not proceeding with the no-confidence vote.

“Actually, they should have considered whether it was proper or not even before announcing it,” he said.

Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh said Dr Chua was a rational person. “She knows what’s right and wrong. She’s in the right direction now.”

Dr Marcus said the Opposition would not be happy to see the “government in peace”.

“There are some weaknesses in the Government but do not take advantage of these. We all should help out.”

SAPP's Firm on "No Confidence"

SAPP Blog

KOTA KINABALU, July 8, 2008: SAPP Secretary-General, Datuk Richard Yong today categorically asserted that SAPP's stand on SAPP’s loss of confidence in the PM still remains.

Yong asserted this in a brief statement issued here today, to clarify the news reports yesterday that "SAPP drops no-confidence motion".

He reiterated that the Party will proceed with the proposed motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister when the time comes, but not at the moment in order not to fall into the trap of some racialist opportunists especially in view of the current volatile situation in the country.

He also noted that its MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui has at the Parliament House today categorically clarified the news reports on her interview yesterday which, had been distorted as, she had never said SAPP has dropped the proposed motion.

July 8, 2008 3:22 PM

No-confidence issue is not over, says SAPP

By LEE YUK PENG

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) deputy president Datuk Eric E. Majimbun (BN - Sepanggar) does not rule out the possibility of filing a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in future.
The party may do so at other times when the political scenario and ground sentiment deem suitable for such action.
At the moment, Eric said it was not suitable to do so.
"I (would) never say it is off," said Eric when asked by reporters at the Parliament Lobby on Tuesday.
Asked whether the party had sent the motion to the Speaker, Eric said "not yet" but the party may do so “ when the time comes.”
Eric, however, thanked the Government for paying more attention to Sabah now.
Asked whether he would leave Barisan Nasional to join the Opposition, Eric said: “We never say we are out of Barisan.
“We are still in the SAPP,” he said.
Eric also said the party was in the midst of preparing its reply to the show-cause letter issued by Barisan.
Eric also said the threat issue was over and he was not worried about that.
“I am safe in Malaysia, this is our country,” he said.

The Malaysian Insider

Thursday July 10 2008.

Latest from Parliament.

The Opposition will file application for no-confidence motion against PM to Dewan Rakyat Speaker at 3pm today

SAPP to finally make good no faith in PM threat


KOTA KINABALU, July 11 - Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) two lawmakers will support Pakatan Rakyat's motion of no confidence against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament on Monday, finally making good their threat which the party decided some three weeks ago.

The Chinese-based party froze the proposal after it claimed there were threats against its MPs from others angry with "the prospect that two non-Malay MPs from SAPP was going to bring a Malay Prime Minister into disrepute."

"Now that a motion of no confidence is being proposed by a Malay MP (Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah), the race factor is eased," the party said in a statement released today.

It also said the action by Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun and Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui is in line with the party's June 18 announcement that it lost confidence in the Prime Minister.

"We reiterate SAPP's loss of confidence in the Prime Minister and the need for urgent government measures to address issues on Sabah rights and current concerns (fuel and food prices hike) plaguing the state," they said, without referring to Abdullah's decision yesterday to relinquish his position in June 2010.

Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee had said its plans were shelved due to inflammatory and threatening statements from some government leaders, including veiled threats of bloodshed uttered in Parliament by Kota Belud MP Datuk Ab Rahman Dahlan.The former Sabah chief minister is under investigations for corruption but he claims the Anti-Corruption Agency probe is politically motivated and related to his party's lack of faith in Abdullah's leadership.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No racial motive is proven: SAPP

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) two MPs - Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) - both reiterated they will support the motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister proposed by Pakatan Rakyat.

In a statement, Friday, both Eric and Dr Chua said their support is in line with SAPP's announcement on June 18 to move such a motion.

"This expression of support reiterates SAPP's loss of confidence in the Prime Minister and the need for urgent government measures to address issues on Sabah rights and current concerns (fuel and food prices hike) plaguing the State," he said.

Party President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee had said last week that the party was putting on hold its intention to move the no confidence motion on grounds of inflammatory and threatening statements from some government leaders.

"Now that a motion of no confidence is being proposed by a Malay MP, the race factor is erased," they said.

Opposition leader Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail together with 14 members of MPs from the opposition parties representing Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), PAS and DAP, handed the motion to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia at his office at Parliament House, Thursday.

Pandikar said he would study the motion before deciding whether to accept or reject it.

Dr M: Handover pact will not restore Umno, BN

By Shannon Teoh
PORT DICKSON, July 12 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed today renewed calls for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down immediately but said the no-confidence motion by the Opposition on Monday would not achieve this.

"Not in 2010, not in December, but now to give Datuk Seri Najib time to restore Umno," he told over 300 paying guests at Port Dickson Golf Club, referring to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's agreement to take over then.

Dr Mahathir stated that Abdullah had inherited a strong party but in four years since the strong showing at the 2004 election had caused a sharp decline in the fortunes of BN.

"He cannot restore the party because what people want is for him to resign, and then the support will return to BN."
Despite this, the veteran politician called the attempt to table a no-confidence motion in Abdullah by the opposition "just a show" that would not achieve much.

"They would need BN MPs to take their side and only two from SAPP will join them. It would've been more effective if SAPP had submitted the motion themselves."

He also said Najib was a shining star before becoming deputy prime minister, after which he became a yes-man and lost his credibility.

"Will his support for Abdullah over the next two years make him stronger or weaker? He should be allowed to work with the grassroots immediately."

In his speech, the former prime minister also owned up to his mistake of appointing Abdullah as his successor but said that the blame should be shared by all Umno members as they had voted him in as vice-president II behind Najib while Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was deputy president.

"Abdullah had supported Tengku Razaleigh when he challenged me but delegates made him a supreme council member and then a vice-president. So after Anwar had to go, I appointed him because of the support he had and his Mr Clean image.

"But now we must fix this mistake. That is why I am not just sitting at home — I want to right my wrongs," Dr Mahathir added.

While he acknowledged that he believed Najib had made a pact with current vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, he refused to endorse the pact.

He claimed, however, that the 2010 date was a strategy by Abdullah to halt Najib's presidency bid and would lead to negative effects.

"What if Muhyiddin persists in running for deputy president? If he beats Najib, can he still be appointed prime minister? This will only extend the political uncertainty."

He also touched on V.K. Lingam and Tun Salleh Abas cases, calling both conspiracies to discredit him.

He also confirmed his belief that Anwar is a "good friend of America" as he met with Paul Wolfowitz, an influential pro-Israel American conservative, while in Munich after being released from prison and also constantly invited senators and members of congress to Malaysia when he was in government.

Former Kedah Menteri Besar Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, who quit Umno with Dr Mahathir earlier this year, was also present and quipped that if Abdullah could lose four states and Kuala Lumpur in four years, "God willing he will lose another three by 2010."

Can SAPP make BN break and be hero this time?

The Malaysian Insider
14 July 2008
ANALYSIS
JULY 14 – Will there be a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister today? That depends on the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

Will the rebel Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) have its two lawmakers there to support such a motion? That depends on the duo after their anti-climatic no-show the first time around on June 24.

But if both do happen, notwithstanding it’s a motion that does not call for a vote, can SAPP's move force Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's hand to whittle his Barisan Nasional coalition to his favourite number – 13?

It's a tough call because BN leaders know SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee wants his tiny Chinese-based party to be kicked out of the coalition instead of quitting, in an effort to underscore his assertion that Sabahans are treated badly and their grouses summarily dismissed in far-off Putrajaya.

That appears to be the former Sabah chief minister's end-game. He won't quit BN but wants Abdullah to do so and if the embattled prime minister won't go, then BN must kick out the rebel party and turn it into instant heroes.

The party has 30 days from July 1 to explain to the BN supreme council why it should not be sacked from the coalition for its June 18 decision to propose or support a no-confidence motion against Abdullah's leadership but its next move today could precipitate the sacking.

BN leaders and lawmakers are already calling for action against Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun and Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui if they support the no-confidence motion filed by Parliamentary Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"It does not only affect Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi but also the entire government and Cabinet appointed after the March 8 election," Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin, deputy chairman of the BN Back Benchers Club, said in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Also in Kota Kinabalu, Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili weighed in, saying the worst enemy was an enemy from within.

"Pure logic points that you should get out and fight from the outside," he said.

Dr Wan Azizah, of course, welcomed the duo's support apart from the 81 that she already has in the House. The government can easily defeat the motion with its 140 members.

While the SAPP has yet to decide whether it will join the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, analysts say it is inevitable after Yong met the de facto opposition pact leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim twice in Hong Kong and elsewhere to discuss issues of mutual interest. Anwar himself has claimed to have some 30 BN lawmakers ready to cross over anytime.

But others in the Pakatan Rakyat – which groups Anwar's Parti Kedilan Rakyat, Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) – are less than impressed with Anwar's claim to capture Putrajaya by Malaysia Day.

Some view the move as unholy haste as the coalition attempts to govern the additional four states it won in the March 8 election while others say the coalition itself has yet to be a firm structure.

"This Pakatan Rakyat thing is not fully formalised and structured yet. Discussions are still on-going," Penang Chief MInister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said last month.

Sources say the three potential component parties have yet to meet among themselves to discuss the idea let alone the leaders convening an inter-party summit to firm the nascent pact. But some states have called themselves Pakatan Rakyat states while Penang and Kedah have decided to remain as coalition governments.

Despite the hazy structure, the SAPP could decide to join the Pakatan Rakyat and cherry-pick important posts for itself and redeem its eight-point pledge to Sabahans if Anwar fulfils his promise to topple Abdullah by Sept 16, which is Malaysia Day.

Otherwise, the SAPP will still be heroes for standing up against the mighty BN which Yong had termed as "swimming with the sharks" when he widened his attacks against Abdullah and Umno leaders for allegedly stirring racial sentiments.

BN panel meets on Aug 6 to decide SAPP’s fate

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The Barisan Nasional management committee will meet on Aug 6 to decide the affiliation of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), which has openly said it does not support Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership and would move or support a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

The tiny Chinese-dominated Sabah party, which has two MPs, has also yet to reply to a show-cause letter which expires tomorrow, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told reporters today.

"We will discuss the matter in the management committee meeting on Aug 6," Tengku Adnan said, adding the BN supreme council will make the final decision on SAPP's membership in the 14-party ruling coalition. The coalition can either give a warning, suspend or sack the party, which also provides a deputy chief minister in Sabah.

BN sent the show-cause letter on June 30 and SAPP acknowledged receipt the day after but Tengku Adnan said there has been no further communication with the party, which has said it will not quit the BN.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee gave an eight-point declaration to back its no-confidence vote against Abdullah in a party decision made on June 18. Its two lawmakers anti-climatically failed to turn up in Parliament on June 24 to initiate or support the no-confidence proposal. The party also failed early this month to make its move when the Dewan Rakuat Speaker rejected an opposition motion of no confidence as it did not carry a vote.

The former Sabah chief minister is expected to brief party members and the public about the party's decision later today at the party headquarters in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu. Yong has previously admitted that he met opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Hong Kong to discuss issues but denied any move to cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Anwar has claimed that MPs from Sabah and Sarawak will join the Pakatan Rakyat to form the federal government by Sept 16 if he can also get into Parliament. He declared last night he was aiming for the Kulim Bandar Baharu seat if an election court calls for a by-election in an election petition decision next month.

The Pakatan Rakyat's three parties won a historic 82 seats in the 222-seat Parliament, denying BN its traditional two-thirds parliamentary majority and also winning control of four more states apart from Kelantan.

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
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SAPP: No change in our stand on the PM

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) will submit today its reply to the show-cause letter issued by the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council.

Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the letter would be sent via Pos Laju, the way it was received exactly 30 days ago, for the party to explain its actions.

"The contents of the reply will be to reiterate the reasons of the no-confidence vote on the Prime Minister, the eight-point declaration and that we maintain our stand.

"It is up to BN to take whatever action on us. SAPP is ready for any consequences (at the BN Supreme Council meeting on Aug. 6)," he told reporters after meeting with party members and supporters here Monday night.

During his talk, Yong asserted that the BN leadership should not be too engrossed in trying to subdue SAPP but to conduct a soul searching to determine the reasons behind SAPP's call for vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister.

On June 20, the SAPP Supreme Council endorsed the decision to support a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but no decision was made to pull out from the BN coalition.

The declarations endorsed by the SAPP Supreme Council, among others, were that the Government shall be people-centric based on good governance and civil society and non-racial politics based on a progressive, just and harmonious society; that Sabah shall have political autonomy whereby the Government shall be formed and run by the people of Sabah; that Sabah and other oil-producing states shall be entitled to a 20 per cent petroleum royalty and that the Labuan Federal Territory be returned to Sabah and be governed as a special region.
He also put on record that as far as SAPP is concerned, the validity of the show cause letter is doubtful because it was issued pursuant to the BN meetings held on June 19, 24 and 26, where no notice was extended to SAPP when it is till today still a BN component party.

To a question, he replied that SAPP has no intention to challenge the legality of the letter so as not to give the wrong impression that they were eager to attend the said meetings.

"It was as though we (SAPP) were no longer part of the coalition."

On whether the "window of opportunity" for Sabah is still open, while noting that the deadline is August (before the Hari Raya Puasa), he was nonetheless doubtful of the Federal Government's sincerity and commitment in wanting to resolve the Sabah issues.

He cited the imminent massive operations againstthe illegal immigrants in the State announced by the Deputy Prime Minister which only came after SAPP's call for vote of no-confidence and its effectiveness remains to be seen.

He reiterated that a more comprehensive solution (as stated in SAPP's memorandum to the Prime Minister and the Federal Government previously) is needed to properly and effectively resolve the illegal immigrants issue and, not an ad hoc one just to pacify the people of Sabah.

He also claimed there existed negotiations between Umno and PAS saying it was not intended for a muzakarrah, but had a political agenda.

"The current political scenario is uncertain. That's why SAPP wants autonomy in Sabah so that we wont be played out by others," he added.

Thursday August 7, 2008
Barisan to study issues raised by SAPP in reply

KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional supreme council will study issues raised in Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) reply to its show-cause letter over the no-confidence move against the Prime Minister.

“This does not mean we have no stand or are delaying the issue.

“But we have to give a comprehensive answer and make an accurate decision on SAPP,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters after the supreme council meeting here yesterday.

He said the answer would be fine-tuned and if needed, certain issues would be answered in detail.

The decision by the supreme council had been hotly anticipated, as state government positions held by SAPP would be in jeopardy if the party were to be sacked or suspended.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee had made it clear that there was no change in the party’s position since June 18.

On June 30, Barisan issued a show-cause letter to SAPP to explain their actions.

In its reply, SAPP asked that the Barisan leadership examine the reasons why the party would be supporting such a motion.

In Kota Kinabalu, Yong said the party was disappointed with the “no decision” made by Barisan in view of the Permatang Pauh by-election.

He said Barisan had put political interest above that of the people of Sabah.

“We are totally disappointed that the Barisan leadership has again put off a key decision affecting Sabah just in order for them to finish a by-election campaign (Permatang Pauh) first,” he said in a statement.

Yong said that SAPP’s three-paragraph reply was simple and clear because it was a “mere reiteration of SAPP’s loss of confidence in the Prime Minister.”

SAPP grouses about BN’s inaction over no-faith move

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 7 — Expecting to be sacked and be seen as heroes by the Sabah electorate, the Sabah Progressive Party expressed disappointment over the Barisan Nasional’s delay in deciding on the rebel party's status for not having confidence in Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee has refused to quit the ruling coalition despite having no faith in the Prime Minister, putting the decision in the hands of an embattled Abdullah who has faced calls to quit after the BN's dismal performance in the March 8 elections where it lost four more states and its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority.

"The SAPP three-paragraph reply to the BN show-cause letter was so simple and clear because it was a mere reiteration of SAPP's loss of confidence in the PM announced on June 18 and endorsed by the supreme council on June 20. What is so complicated that the BN needs to study in detail?" Yong said in the statement issued late yesterday.

"Surely, the PM was stingy with the truth by saying that they (BN) need to study the SAPP letter in detail."

He said the party was "totally disappointed that the BN leadership has again put off a key decision affecting Sabah just in order for them to finish a by-election campaign (Permatang Puah) first".

"It shows that the BN has put their political interests above that of the people in Sabah," the former Sabah chief minister said.

But he vowed that SAPP will forge ahead to pursue its struggle based on its eight-point declaration and to fight against rapid rising costs that is causing hardship to the people

The tiny Chinese-based party contribute two MPs and four assemblymen under the BN banner. One of the Sabah assemblymen is a deputy chief minister in the Borneo state.

SAPP had decided on June 18 to either push or support a no-confidence motion against Abdullah but it turned out to be anti-climatic when both its lawmakers did not turn up for Parliament when it reconvened on June 24. Another attempt to support a Pakatan Rakyat motion failed in mid-July as it was rejected as it did not call for a vote.

The Malaysian Insider
Thursday September 18 2008

Pak Lah dismisses SAPP as a 'nuisance'

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 17 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said it was apt that the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) left the Barisan Nasional (BN) as it was a only a nuisance to the coalition.

"They are only a problem in the party and a nuisance. Let them go, it's okay," he said when met at a breaking of fast function with Cabinet ministers, menteris besar, chief ministers and deputy ministers at the home of Deputy Prime Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here tonight.

He said this when asked to comment about the decision by the SAPP to pull out of the BN at its supreme council meeting in Kota Kinabalu today.

At a press conference following the meeting, SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee announced that the party no longer wanted to be in the BN and chose to be an independent party.

The decision, however, was not well received by two of its leaders, SAPP deputy president and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan and Au Kam Wah, the state assemblyman for Elopura.

Najib said the decision by the SAPP was no surprise as it had been expected.

SAPP, he said, had actually hoped to be expelled from the BN but now had "jumped the gun".

"This development will not affect the BN in any way and we won't be doing a post-mortem on it," he said. — Bernama

SAPP's independent move keeps Anwar waiting longer

The Malaysian Insider
COMMENTARY
SEPT 17 - In going independent, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has not only shown it lacks faith in Barisan Nasional but also Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Rakyat.

Anwar, whose boast of taking power yesterday has come to naught, had been counting on political maverick Datuk Yong Teck Lee to help start the BN exodus to his electoral pact.

But the wily former Sabah chief minister has decided to keep his party independent, turning it into a possible kingmaker in Parliament with its two federal lawmakers.

Anwar's allies, the DAP and Pas, will be left wondering about what's left of the former deputy prime minister's pledge to oust BN by Malaysia Day.

The 61-year-old charismatic politican, who proudly calls himself by DAP's once-sarcastic prime minister-in-waiting tag, has repeatedly said he has the numbers to unseat Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Yong's move to push or back a no-confidence motion against Abdullah's leadership three months ago was seen as a catalyst and harbinger of Anwar's dreams.

Both even admitted meeting in Hong Kong and other places to discuss matters of mutual interest.

But today's move is seen as a sign of distrust and a dent to Anwar's plans, which has also been mocked and the butt of jokes at office water coolers and through SMSes when it failed to materialise yesterday.

Yong, who has taken great pains to portray the tiny party as a champion of Sabah people and interests, has taken the safe option of being independent as he is casting an eye at the Borneo state elections for a possible return to power if the current disenchantment with BN and rising anti-federal sentiments persist.

However, the Sabah people had returned 24 out of 25 federal seats to BN in the March 8 polls, reflecting the people's disinterest in the Pakatan Rakyat agenda.

With that in mind, Yong and his party, which contributed four state legislators to BN, will have to tread cautiously with any potential partners.

Despite the disappointment with SAPP's move to join the sole Independent in Parliament, Anwar is hoping to count on its two MPs - Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui – to support his bid to capture Putrajaya.

That could be likely. But the party's independent stance means its support could be costly and not something that can be counted upon, a move that could inspire other parties to do the same.

Anwar will have to look elsewhere for rock-solid and unequivocal support to be PM.

Which leaves him as PM-in-waiting for a while more.

Sabah chief minister regrets SAPP’s pullout

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 – Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman today expressed regret over the decision by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) to pull out from the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

"Although we expected it, it is most regrettable that the decision to leave was taken. SAPP has been long-time friend and supporter of the BN," he said in a statement.

Musa, who is also Sabah BN chairman, said the BN component parties always worked as a team and relied on each other’s strengths for the benefit of the people, including overcoming problems that also affected component parties.



"As such, Sabah Umno and its other friends within the BN would remain steadfast with the coalition and continue with our common cause.

"Of course, there are problems in every coalition-based government but within a family-like relationship in BN, these problems can be resolved together if we keep an open mind and adopt a give-and-take attitude. This is one of the core principles of the BN," he added.

Musa said the BN government was committed to bringing development to the people, which was demonstrated by the large financial allocations to Sabah under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and for the Sabah Development Corridor.

He reminded the people not to be easily duped by irresponsible individuals, namely from the opposition, who would use all kinds of tactics, including alleging impropriety on the part of the BN and claiming that Sabah was being sidelined by the government.

SAPP announced its withdrawal from the BN after the party’s supreme council meeting today. However, it did not seem to be a unanimous decision as party deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah left the meeting before it ended.

Meanwhile, Datuk V.K. Liew, president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), also a BN component party, said he was not surprised at SAPP’s action to pull out from the coalition.

"By their conduct and actions of late, it is not surprising that SAPP took the action it did today," he said. — Bernama