Bold gamble for Sabahans

Thursday June 19, 2008
Bold gamble for Sabahans

SABAH has kept its word. In declaring its intention to support a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) appears to be playing out the drama first hinted at by its vociferous Sabah Umno colleagues last month.

But instead of the Opposition Pakatan Rakyat tabling that long-threatened motion, it is emanating from Barisan Nasional itself.

The SAPP has nothing to lose. It has only two MPs and its president, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, holds no Cabinet position, either in Kuala Lumpur or in the state, and is not even an elected representative.

Moreover, he is no stranger to political controversy, in a state known for controversial politics and roller-coaster fortunes.

The question of whether or not this motion will succeed is almost secondary. Whoever tables the motion, irrespective of whether or not it goes through, is asking to be sacked.

“The SAPP’s move shows a crack in Barisan, and when there is a crack, people will try to prise it open,” said Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Datuk Seri James Masing.

The timing was unfortunate. Yesterday was the 100th day anniversary of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s second term as Prime Minister.

Since Barisan was burnt at the March 8 polls, Abdullah has been a leader under siege. To be fair, he has emerged from each bush fire singed but still fighting.

Some of the sharpest criticisms have come from his own party: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and even Tun Musa Hitam have urged him to step down.

In Parliament, the Opposition treated the frontbenchers like personal sitting ducks.

Finally, it has come to this – a no-confidence motion in Parliament “for the people and our Sabah”, as Yong told a friend.

But if Yong and Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are hoping that the political gamble, cobbled together in Hong Kong, will have a snowball effect, they may be wrong.

First, there is the possibility that the motion will be rejected by the Speaker.

Second, it is only mid-June. Anwar has been targeting Sept 16 for dramatic impact. The three intervening months leave a lot of room for manoeuvre. Now, with adequate forewarning, Barisan can initiate its own counter-moves.

Third, the other component parties have all rallied around Abdullah, as they did in Parliament last month. In Sarawak, SAPP’s shocking news has done nothing to change its decorous toeing of the Barisan line.

Nevertheless, all this may just be a question of timing.

To the SAPP, “Barisan has already left Sabah. The spirit of Barisan is no longer there.” And its show of hands might be Sabah’s first move to form the Third Force in Malaysia’s political equation.

Currently, Barisan holds 140 seats compared to the Pakatan Rakyat’s 81, with one independent MP. By the Sabah MPs’ reckoning, their 24 seats would narrow that gap tremendously.

At the moment, Sabah MPs are not ready to join another political party – even one that has promised them 20% oil royalties and various ministerial positions in a restructured national Cabinet line-up.

So, a Third Force – as in an independent group to be wooed by both the Barisan and the Pakatan Rakyat – would be a most attractive alternative to them. Such a bloc would also be able to determine the country’s political agenda, while gaining some plums for itself.

The push factor, however, is probably the most obvious – the fuel hike and the attendant rise in prices of foodstuff.

History has made Sabahans weary. For the past two decades or more, Sabah MPs have “berbahas sampai mulut berbuih (debated until they frothed at the mouth)” in Parliament but their collective appeals have fallen on deaf ears. Issues like illegal immigrants, poverty, underdevelopment, corruption, calls for greater autonomy and most of all, to be treated as equals under the Malaysian sun, have filled the pages of the Hansards but not translated into policy.

Only lately, in the last three weeks or so, has Abdullah focussed his attention on the two states. Some of the solutions have been well accepted, especially in Sarawak. Others are seen as dubious, or have come a little too late.

Sabah MPs are Barisan in name, a little bit like migrant workers carrying Malaysian permanent resident cards whose authenticity remains questionable. Their hearts may be elsewhere.

Analisis: Ugutan SAPP goncang politik BN Posted in MT
Thursday, 19 June 2008

SAPP, sebuah parti politik kaum Cina di Sabah yang didaftarkan pada 21 Jan, 1994, adalah satu daripada 14 parti komponen BN, yang menerajui Kerajaan Persekutuan.

SEMUANYA bermula dengan kata dua yang dilihat biasa sahaja. Pada 13 Mei, Presiden Parti Maju Sabah Datuk Yong Teck Lee memberikan Barisan Nasional (BN) masa sehingga Ogos bagi menyelesaikan isu-isu tertunggak di Sabah.

"Selepas Ogos, tiada jaminan bahawa anggota SAPP akan kekal dalam Barisan (Nasional)," katanya.

Rungutan itu tidak berhenti setakat itu. SAPP terus bersuara lantang dengan membangkitkan beberapa masalah yang menjejaskan negeri itu, termasuk masalah pendatang tanpa izin dan "projek kad pengenalan."

Banyak pihak beranggapan bahawa SAPP hanya sekadar "menangguk di air yang keruh" bagi kelangsungan politik.

Apa yang dilihat sebagai strategi politik, Timbalan Presiden SAPP Datuk Raymond Tan pada Isnin menafikan laporan media bahawa parti itu sedang menunggu masa untuk mengetepikan BN, menyatakan laporan itu "hanya spekulasi."

Hari ini, Yong, bekas ketua menteri Sabah, membuat kejutan dengan mengisytiharkan bahawa parti itu telah hilang kepercayaan terhadap Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Pada masa sama, beliau mengumumkan bahawa dua anggota Parlimen SAPP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) dan Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) akan menyokong usul undi tidak percaya terhadap Perdana Menteri pada persidangan Dewan Rakyat Isnin ini.

"Kami mesti membuat pendirian sebelum jendela peluang itu tutup. Jendela peluang ini akan tutup menjelang Ogos yang mana selepas itu Sabah akan dilupakan sekali lagi.

"Kami telah menyuarakan isu-isu Sabah termasuk pendatang tanpa izin kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan tetapi nampaknya mereka hanya melengah-lengahkannya. Kami tidak lagi mampu bertolak ansur dengan ketidakpekaan mereka terhadap isu-isu Sabah yang hakikatnya benar dan serius," katanya.

Mengenai hala tuju parti itu pada masa depan, Yong berkata SAPP akan mengadakan mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi parti pada Jumaat ini.

SAPP, sebuah parti politik kaum Cina di Sabah yang didaftarkan pada 21 Jan, 1994, adalah satu daripada 14 parti komponen BN, yang menerajui Kerajaan Persekutuan.

Sementara itu, Presiden Parti Liberal Demokratik (LDP) Datuk VK Liew berkata ia sama sekali sesuatu yang amat dikesali bagi SAPP untuk mengambil langkah yang tidak munasabah dan masuk akal untuk menyokong usul undi tidak percaya terhadap Abdullah.

"Tindakan Yong adalah peribadi dan beliau tidak mempunyai kepentingan negeri dan rakyat Sabah dalam pemikirannya. Beliau melakukannya semata-mata kerana agenda peribadinya.

"Ia meupakan tindakan yang dirancang untuk menggugat gabungan kerajaan dan menyingkir Pak Lah sebagai Perdana Menteri yang sah dipilih oleh rakyat, untuk rakyat pada pilihan raya lepas," katanya kepada Bernama.

Liew berkata taktik politik seumpamanya tidak dapat diterima dan tidak boleh dibenarkan berlaku.

"LDP adalah parti yang setia dan berdedikasi terhadap matlamat dan perjuangan BN serta akan terus memberi sokongan penuh kepada Pak Lah sebagai Perdana Menteri kita," katanya.

Pemerhati politik Lesaya Lopog Sarudim berkata keputusan dua anggota Parlimen SAPP sudah dijangkakan kerana terdapat banyak rasa tidak puas hati di Sabah.

Beliau berkata pastinya banyak alasan bagi SAPP mengambil tindakan drastik seumpamanya memandangkan parti itu sudah bersama BN lebih sedekad.

"Mungkin mereka sudah tiba pada suatu keadaan tidak dapat lagi menerima keadaan BN berhubung cara mereka melayani parti-parti komponen.

"Pada pandangan saya, pada permulaan ini ia akan mencetuskan banyak perbincangan.

Hakikatnya, rasa tidak puas hati memang wujud, namun mereka tidak memperkatakannya secara terbuka. Apa pun, gabungan parti BN masih lagi dalam keadaan baik sekurang-kurangnya pada masa ini," katanya.

Ali Rustam gesa MP BN tolak usul
Thursday, 19 June 2008
(Bernama) - Semua anggota Parlimen Barisan Nasional (BN) perlu menolak usul tidak percaya terhadap Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yang dijangka dibentangkan pada sesi Parlimen Isnin ini, kata Naib Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

Beliau berkata semua anggota parlimen BN perlu mempertahankan Perdana Menteri yang juga Pengerusi BN.

"Tindakan untuk mengemukakan usul tidak percaya kepada Perdana Menteri di parlimen (dijangka Isnin ini) adalah satu tindakan yang tidak bertanggungjawab dan tidak demokratik," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini sebagai mengulas kenyataan Presiden Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) Datuk Yong Teck Lee hari ini bahawa partinya telah hilang kepercayaan terhadap Abdullah dan dua anggota parlimennya Eric Majimbun (Sepanggar) dan Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) akan menyokong usul itu.

Mohd Ali yang juga Ketua Menteri Melaka berkata "Yong Teck Lee dan SAPP perlu dipecat daripada menjadi anggota BN".

Beliau berkata semua anggota parti komponen BN mesti ada disiplin dan mesti membincangkan hal-hal parti.

"Dalam mesyuarat BN beliau (Yong) menyatakan sokongan kepada Abdullah sebagai Perdana Menteri dan presiden BN bagaimana di luar beliau menyatakan hilang keyakinan kepada Perdana Menteri yang juga Presiden BN," katanya.

Di PUTRAJAYA, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad berkata beliau yakin tindakan yang diambil oleh SAPP itu tidak akan menyebabkan parti komponen lain dalam BN mengambil tindakan yang sama.

"Saya tidak fikir begitu. Saya tidak fikir mereka dengan tiba-tiba satu keadaan di mana anggota BN lain akan meninggalkan parti ini.

"Saya tidak fikir mereka mempunyai kepimpinan atau pun mereka konsisten dalam isu mereka kerana anda dengar pelbagai komen yang dibuat oleh anggota Parlimen berlainan daripada parti itu.

"Ia agak tidak jelas apa mereka lakukan. Jadi, kita tidak pasti apa yang mereka buat," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Shahrir yang juga Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna berkata beliau tidak nampak usul yang akan dibawa oleh dua anggota Parlimen Sabah pada sidang Parlimen minggu depan akan mendapat sambutan.

Beliau berkata ini kerana wakil kerajaan akan membentangkan usul mengenai kenaikan harga barang dan petrol, termasuklah isu subsidi dan inflasi untuk dibahaskan pada sidang tersebut.

"Ia masih belum jelas apa sebenarnya yang akan berlaku. Mungkin akan ada perkara lain akan berlaku. Tentunya tidak wajar buat kenyataan masih kabur, saya sendiri tidak pasti apa pendirian SAPP.

"Tetapi pokoknya dalam sistem Parlimen, bagaimana nak menguruskan usul undi tak percaya itu? Kalau ia seperti usul atau perbahasan, kita lihatlah. Pokoknya memang ada usul kerajaan pada hari Isnin dan kita lihat bagaimana sambutan kepada usul ini," katanya.

Mengulas mengenai kepimpinan Abdullah, Shahrir berkata : "Beliau telah menemui pemimpin akar umbi dan dalam keadaan baik bagi seseorang yang dilihat dan nampaknya diserang dari setiap sudut.

"Beliau masih membuat keputusan yang agak jelas dan tegas dalam melaksanakan tanggungjawabnya sebagai Perdana Menteri," kata Shahrir.

NST Online » Frontpage
2008/06/19

BN won't expel SAPP but focuses on president's intent

Bernama


KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs:

The Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council has decided not to expel the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) as it believes the statement by its president, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, today was not the stand of the party, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“As far as I know, it (Yong’s statement) is not the stand of the party. The statement came from Yong Teck Lee personally. That’s why we are not taking action against the party,” said the Prime Minister, who is also the BN chairman, at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the BN Supreme Council, here today.

In Kota Kinabalu yesterday, Yong, who was also a former Sabah Chief Minister, said the party had lost confidence in the Prime Minister and would support a motion on a vote of `no confidence’ against Abdullah at the Dewan Rakyat sitting beginning Monday.

Abdullah had chaired the BN Supreme Council emergency meeting which lasted more than three hours at Menara Datuk Onn to discuss Yong’s statement.

Responding to a question, Abdullah said it was up to SAPP to take whatever action against Yong for his statement.

“Whatever decision the party wants to make concerning the action of its president is up to the party,” he said.

Thursday June 19, 2008 MYT 9:31:55 PM
Yong: SAPP will respond on Friday

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Yong Teck Lee said his party will respond in full on Friday to the so-called decision of the Barisan Nasional emergency supreme council meeting in Putrajaya.

“Was the Barisan meeting held to take action against or expel SAPP from Barisan?

“What does Barisan headquarters consider to be the status of SAPP (for it) to be excluded from the meeting?” he said in an SMS when asked for the party’s reaction to the Barisan supreme council's decision.

SAPP, which was not notified of the emergency meeting, will hold its own supreme council meeting on Friday.

Thursday June 19, 2008
I will follow party whip, says Razaleigh

KOTA BARU: Former Umno vice-president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said he will follow the party whip if the proposed motion to pass a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi materialises.

If it reaches the voting stage, the Kelantan prince said that as a party member, he would likely vote for the party and follow the chief whip.

“I want what is best for Umno as I am an Umno member but the leaders at the top refuse to see the reality of things.

“They prefer spinning things and in the end, the party is now faced with possible defections from members of the Barisan Nasional coalition,” Tengku Razaleigh said.

“I hope and pray that this will not trigger an exodus by others who may have the same feelings as the SAPP,” he said.

Barisan and Umno, specifically, must start mending fences, consolidate its position and show strong leadership to prevent the political landscape from turning into chaos, he said.

He said his recent prediction that a Barisan component party might leave the coalition before the end of the month appeared to be coming true.

The sole independent MP, Pasir Mas’ Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali, said he would liase with PAS, which is his strategic ally, to determine his vote.

Ibrahim said the SAPP move was another example of how even Barisan component parties had lost confidence in Abdullah.

He said this may spark more parties or individual MPs to follow suit.

PKR strategic planning director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is Machang MP, said all 31 MPs from PKR would vote en-bloc based on the party’s decision which would be made after a political bureau meeting.

Saifuddin said PKR would also consult PAS and DAP.
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Thursday June 19, 2008 MYT 7:56:02 PM
More weigh in on SAPP move

PETALING JAYA: The Sabah Progressive Party move to remove Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with a no-confidence vote continued to attract a range of responses, with a former prime minister weighing in as well.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Barisan Nasional component parties should realise that they have become irrelevant and will find themselves rejected if they continued to ignore the feelings of the people.

He said it was the inability of Barisan party leaders to appreciate the feelings of the people that led to the disastrous general election results. "When will BN party leaders wake up to the fact that the majority of Malaysians do not want Datuk Seri Abdullah as Prime Minister?" he said in his blog, www.chedet.com, on Thursday.

Dr Mahathir's comment was in response to the announcement by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) on Wednesday to move a no-confidence motion on the Prime Minister when the Parliament session resumes next Monday.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, a Sabah native, said his decision to allow or not allow the motion would be based on the rules and procedures of the Standing Orders.

“The integrity of the chair is of utmost importance to me.

“If I were to abuse my position as Speaker, it will affect me personally -- my credibility as a politician and as an individual.

“I will put my political interest aside to protect the integrity of the chair,” he said.

SAPP's call for a no-confidence vote in the Prime Minister is an act of betrayal and disrespect to Barisan, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said.

He said this was because the call was being made when the current political situation truly required cooperation and unity among the coalition's component parties.

"I am saddened and shocked. I think the excuse given by SAPP that it has lost confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minister is cheap," he said in a statement.

He said PBRS would stand by the Barisan whether led by the current Prime Minister or his successor.

In SEREMBAN, Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan challenged SAPP assemblymen to resign if they had lost confidence in Abdullah’s leadership.

Mohamad said they should be prepared to go back to the people for a mandate under the party’s banner if they felt that the Prime Minister did not have the credentials to lead.

“This is ridiculous ... when you lose confidence in your boss, you are the one who should resign.

“I have worked at many places before I became MB. I too had been in situations where I did not agree with my bosses, but I was in no position to ask them to resign -- I was the one who had to go,” he told reporters after opening a state level seminar on integrity for community leaders at the Seremban Municipal Council hall.

He said the SAPP representatives should not forget they had represented Barisan in the March 8 polls.

“The people who voted for you voted for Barisan, and the Prime Minister is the head of this coalition. You’ve got to respect this,” he sai
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KL serious in helping Sabah, says Musa

KOTA KINABALU, June 20 ─ Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman rejected the notion that the federal government did not give serious attention to the matters voiced by Sabah leaders.
Musa, who is Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the federal government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had taken appropriate actions to fulfil the demands.

"These include the abolition of the Sabah Federal Development Department, more opportunities for Sabahans to fill important posts in the federal services, and the RM1 billion supplementary allocation for the state's development.

"These clearly prove that the federal government, especially the prime minister, has tried to fulfil the aspirations of the Sabah people," he told reporters yesterday.

Musa was commenting on the statement made by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee on Wednesday, accusing the federal government of failing to take concrete measures to solve problems in Sabah, including the illegal immigrant issue.

Musa, who is Sabah Umno chief, said the federal government had agreed to form a Cabinet committee on illegal immigrants, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the chairman, to tackle the issue.

"We should understand that certain issues take time to resolve especially the illegal immigrant issue which involves neighbouring countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia.

"However, it does not mean that we are not trying to solve the problems," he said.

On the issue of the fuel price hike raised by Yong, Musa said: "We have voiced that matter with the federal government... to have our oil royalty increased.

"We are waiting. It maybe nothing today, but, maybe in the future, it will be considered."

On Yong's claim that Sabah's "window of opportunity" would be closed in August, Musa said it was baseless.

"On the contrary, we do have plenty of opportunities, including in terms of development projects... the opportunities are limitless," he said.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said Sabah BN would not be affected by the action taken by Yong.

He said the motion for a vote of no confidence in the Dewan Rakyat against the prime minister would fail as it would not be supported by members.

"SAPP's action is unwarranted as every BN component party should show a strong spirit of cooperation," Shafie told reporters.

Admitting that Sabah BN was worried with the latest developments, Shafie, who is Sabah Umno deputy chief said it would hold a meeting soon to discuss the issue. ─ Bernama

Voters will punish BN if SAPP removed from state govt: Former YB


Friday, 20 June 2008
(Borneo Post) - KOTA KINABALU: Former Petagas assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang yesterday urged the State Barisan Nasional government not to remove Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from the state administration.

James said the sacking of SAPP might not go down well with the Sabah people, and it would invite serious repercussions in the next general election.

The people of Sabah might severely punish the Sabah BN in the polls, he said.

The action taken by SAPP on Wednesday was consistent with the concerns of Sabahans on the non-action on the part of the prime minister on the primary issues affecting Sabah vis a vis, oil royalty, illegal immigrants and the high inflation rate which could potentially increase the poverty level in Sabah, he said.

“Every Sabahan knows as well as most Sabahan politicians know that what SAPP has been saying to the federal government are issues Sabahans wanted to be resolved for many, many years!

“I, for one, applaud what SAPP is doing as well as other courageous leaders like Datuk Anifah Aman and Datuk Ghapur Salleh from Sabah Umno, Datuk Edmond Chong from PBS and Datuk Wilfred Bumburing from Upko. They have been fearless in articulating the interests of Sabahans in parliament. I cannot help but be proud of them,” said James.

“Sabahan politicians must realise this laughable oddity of being in a ‘rich state of poor people’, he added. Despite its richness in natural resources like oil, timber, rich agricultural land, and bountiful marine products, yet Sabah tops in having the highest poverty rate at 23 per cent in the nation,” he pointed out in a statement yesterday.

James said the request by Sabah BN component parties to consider some increase in the oil royalty had fallen on deaf ears.

The federal minister in charge of Petronas had informed Parliament that request on any increase in oil royalty would not be entertained, he alleged.

The least the prime minister could have done was to consider some increase to assuage Malaysians in the oil producing states, namely Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu, he said.

He said, “The oddity here is these states are about the poorest in the country! Sabah being the poorest in hierarchy, followed closely by Terengganu and Sarawak cannot be far behind when the rural folks are still living in longhouses!

“The refusal by the prime minister to accede to the request to set up the Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants in Sabah is incomprehensible and indefensible when the threat posed can be a serious threat to the social and security of the nation we love so much. Any other country would have readily established such an inquiry. Comparing the Linghamgate to the illegal immigrants issue, I consider it highly insignificant and yet a Royal Commission of Inquiry was established,” he said.

James is confident that Sabah leaders from the various BN component parties would be united in their desire to assure the younger generation of Sabahans that they had a better future in ‘our country called Malaysia’.

Abdullah jadi baik kerana takut

Friday, 20 June 2008


Mengenai keengganan Abdullah dan BN untuk menghukum SAPP dan kedua ahli Parlimennya bukan kerana BN baik jauh sekali bersikap profesional, tetapi kerana takut dengan suasana sekarang menjadi lebih buruk lagi.

ANTARA KITA

NAMPAKNYA Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan BN mengambil pendekatan bertenang dan tawaqus dengan tindakan Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) yang meninggalkan komponen BN. Kata Abdullah selepas dewan tertinggi BN mengadakan mesyuarat tergemparnya, tidak ada apa-apa tindakan dan hukuman diambil ke atas parti berkenaan.

Alasan Abdullah ialah kerana keputusan SAPP itu dibuat oleh presidennnya, Yong Teck Lee secara peribadi. Dalam kaca matanya SAPP tidak melakukan apa-apa kesalahan dalam konteks BN hari ini.

Begitu juga menurut Abdullah kedua ahli Parlimen parti itu, Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) dan Eric Majimbun (Sepaggar) tidak akan dikenakan apa-apa tindakan kerana mereka tidak melakukan kesalahan dalam Dewan Rakyat.

Katanya BN hanya akan memutuskan tindakan ke atas SAPP apabila pihak dewan tertinggi BN mendapat kata putus atau laporan daripada jawatankuasa tertinggi parti berkenaan.

Betapa baik dan tulusnya Abdullah dan BN dalam menghadapi isu SAPP dan dua ahli Parlimennya itu. Abdullah begitu tenang dan tidak mudah melatah dalam menangani isu berkenaan. Ini menggambarkan akan kehebatan dan ketinggian akal budi Abdullah selaku khalifah!

Apakah begitu?

Beliau seolah samar dan kabur dengan apa yang berlaku. Apakah ini hakiki dan kenyataan hidup Abdullah dan pemimpin BN sebelum ini tidak mudah menghukum sesuatu itu yang tidak jelas kesalahannya di mata zahir?

Apakah tindakan Yong Teck Lee mengumumkan partinya keluar BN itu bukan kesalahan dan kedua ahli Parlimennya berada dalam majlis itu dan menandatangani surat bersetuju dengan keputusan diumumkan itu sebagai tidak bersalah? Teck Lee juga secara beterus terang menjelaskan yang partinya hilang kepercayaan kepada Abdullah sebagai perdana menteri.

Apakah bentuk-bentuk kesalahan dalam BN kini sudah diubah dan pelanggaran disiplin seperti mengecam pimpinan BN secara terbuka itu dihalalkan? Peraturan dan disiplin sebelum ini sudah dirobah?

Membuat kenyataan keluar dari BN secara rasmi bukan kesalahan! Dan kenyataan yang dibuat oleh presidennya dianggap sebagai kenyataan individu. Apakah bezanya Teck Lee sebagai individu dan beliau sebagai presiden parti? Bukankah presiden parti berhak dan berkuasa ke atas partinya seperti juga Abdullah ke atas Umno? Walaupun ada ahli Umno mahukan Abdullah berundur namun beliau tetap berdegil kerana beliau berkuasa ke atas parti!

Hebat kepimpinan dan daya pimpinan Abdullah kerana boleh berkompromi dengan keadaan itu.

Namun apa yang menjadi sedikit tanda tanya bila Abdullah seakan menghansut agar pemimpin SAPP menentang keputusan Yong Teck Lee itu apabila beliau menyarakan supaya SAPP perlu mengambil tindakan ke atas Yong Teck Lee. Dalam erti kata lain ada provokasi supaya Teck Lee ditentang dan digantikan dengan orang lain.

Arahan dan hasutan Abdullah itu nampak songsang dan tidak berapa sihat. Masakan ahli SAPP bersedia untuk menentang dan melawan Yong Teck Lee. Sebagai sebuah parti siasah sudah pasti Teck Lee dan SAPP telah berfikir panjang sebelum mengambil keputusan itu. Kita tidak percaya politik Cina akan mengikuti stail politik Melayu di mana pengikut sering mengkhianati pemimpin.

Mengenai keengganan Abdullah dan BN untuk menghukum SAPP dan kedua ahli Parlimennya bukan kerana BN baik jauh sekali bersikap profesional, tetapi kerana takut dengan suasana sekarang menjadi lebih buruk lagi.

Abdullah tahu kalau pun dia menghukum Teck Lee tetapi ia tidak boleh menakutkan orang lain. Hukuman yang bermotifkan politik tidak akan digeruni sesiapa. Apa lagi sipenghukumnya pula hilang upaya dan kredibiliti.

Jadi apa yang berlaku dalam mesyuarat tergempar BN semalam ialah mencari jalan untuk membendung yang carit agar tidak bedah dan beharap agar tindakan permulaan dilakukan SAPP itu tidak akan merebak dan berjangkit kepada koponen BN lain.

Cuba kalau BN dan Abdullah tidak berada dalam keadaaan genting seperti sekarang. Sudah tentu tidak ada amaran dan nasihat lagi kepada Teck Lee dan SAPP. Tentu keputusan yang konkrit akan diambil. Bukankah sebelum ini semua pemimpin BN telah mengutuk Yong Teck Lee? Sudah pasti Teck Lee dan SAAP dipecat dari BN. Itulah juga persepsi umum apabila tiba-tiba BN mengadakan mesyuarat tergempar.

Perhatikan apa yang berlaku kepada parti Pas tahun 1974 dulu. Kesalahan yang Pas lakukan ketika itu tidak sampai lima peratus daripada apa yang SAPP lakukan. Pemimpin Pas, Allahyarham Mohd Asri Muda tidak pernah membuat kenyataan celupar terbuka seperti Teck Lee. Pas hanya cuba mengembangkan sayapnya di kawasan-kawasan tertentu. Itupun masih berlandaskan kepada semangat permaufakatan dalam BN.

Apa jadi kepada Pas. Pas ditendang dan diterajang daripada BN. Mengapa Pas diperlakukan begitu ialah kerana ketika itu BN berada dalam keadaan kuat dan merajai politik Malaysia ketika itu.

Tetapi hari ini dalam keadaan genting, bak telor di hujung tanduk dan hanya menanti masa sahaja untuk kerajaan BN yang ditulangi Umno hancur, menyebabkan para pemimpinnya menjadi baik dengan tiba-tiba. Menjadi ikhlas dengan tiba-tiba. Walhal apa yang sedang diselindungkan oleh Abdullah di sebalik tidak mahu mengambil tindakan ke atas SAPP dan Teck Lee itu ialah kerana takut dan bimbang dengan situasi hari ini.

Kita yakin Teck Lee dan SAPP tetap dengan keputusannya. Walaupun apa orang cemuh dan makinya keputusan itu tepat dan benar. Ia juga kena pada masa dan ketikanya. Soalnya Teck Lee tamak dan lebih mementingkan diri sendiri tidak menjadi persoalan kerana semua ahli politik termasuk Abdullah, Anwar, orang baju petak-petak merah dan seisapa pun semuanya mempunyai kepentingan diri sendiri!

SAPP goes ahead with anti-PM vote

UPDATED with SAPP deputy chief’s dissension, Lim Kit Siang’s and Najib's statements

KOTA KINABALU, June 20 — The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leaders, emboldened by a lack of action against them by the Barisan Nasional, will go ahead to support a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when Parliament reconvenes Monday.

"After considering all views, the supreme council decided to endorse the motion," SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee told reporters after chairing a marathon supreme council emergency meeting in Kota Kinabalu today.

But the party supreme council did not decide on pulling out of the 14-member Barisan Nasional (BN) with Yong saying the party's position should be clarified with coalition secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Party deputy president and Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, though, disagreed with Yong's contention that SAPP leaders were unanimous in its decision.

"It is totally wrong to say that it was unanimous. The supreme council was not in total agreement. There were opposing views," said Tan, adding among those who opposed the proposal was Elopura assemblyman and youth chief Au Kam Wah.

But Tan was uncertain about the dissension as there was no show of hands to vote on the issue at the meeting. "Throughout the meeting I tried to reason why we should not proceed with the motion. You cannot say we are staying in the BN and yet you want to support a motion of no confidence against the prime minister."

Tan and Au walked out of the meeting room before the press conference began in a show of disagreement with Yong, whom he met for an hour before the party meeting.

The Tanjung Papat assemblyman said he would prefer SAPP "continue its struggle within the ruling coalition", adding the no-confidence motion was a vote for de facto Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "I can't agree with this."

Yong, who is now facing an Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) probe for using state money to pay his agents in 1996 when he was Sabah chief minister, told reporters SAPP will hold a special delegates' conference on July 7 to discuss its next step.

Meanwhile, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar said there was little chance of a no-confidence vote against the prime minister when Parliament reconvenes on Monday but possibly later in the year.

"There won't be a vote this Monday but the no-confidence motion could happen any time after that," Kamaruddin told Harakah Daily today, adding PAS and its coalition partners would not initiate any such motion on Monday.

Reacting to the SAPP move to initiate or support any no-confidence vote against Abdullah, Kamaruddin said, "Yes, we will table the no-confidence motion this year after discussions and agreement between all component parties in Pakatan Rakyat."

Analysts have said Yong's move was meant to humiliate a beleaguered Abdullah who is already facing calls to quit from within his own party after the poor results of the March 8 elections.

Abdullah's Barisan Nasional controls 140 seats in Parliament, including two lawmakers from SAPP, while the nascent Pakatan Rakyat has 81 seats with another held by Independent lawmaker Datuk Ibrahim Ali.

Abdullah claims Yong's decision stems from personal greed and has taken steps to fight back, including getting the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to question the former Sabah chief minister for alleged misdeeds in a sale of shares from a state-owned company to selected agents.

Yong, who confirmed receiving a call from the ACA this morning, questioned the probe timing as he had already given a lengthy statement about the alleged payment to the agency years ago.

He added that he expected to receive the brunt of the BN "propaganda machine" following the party's stand against Abdullah.

The Kit Siang alternative

In KUALA LUMPUR, veteran Opposition politican Lim Kit Siang said that depending on the number of lawmakers in Parliament on Monday, a proposed government motion on price increases could be turned into a no-confidence motion if there are enough numbers to defeat it.

"Up to now, Parliament has not received any notice from any Member of Parliament for a no-confidence motion," Lim said in a media statement in Kuala Lumpur, noting that Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's proposed no-confidence vote against the prime minister has been endorsed by the SAPP supreme council.

"However, it is not necessary to have a proper motion of no confidence to create a 'no-confidence' vote in Parliament on the prime minister and the government-of-the-day," he added, saying the Opposition could do the same by defeating the price hike motion by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.

Shahrir is seeking support for the measures taken by the government over price increases of food, oil and commodities, including reduction of oil subsidies. The motion will be tabled after the 90-minute Question Time.

Cracking the whip

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak told reporters BN will crack the whip on the two SAPP lawmakers if they carry out any move to table a no-confidence vote against Abdullah.

Najib, who is the BN chief whip, said the two could be penalised for breaching party discipline if they act contrary to coalition rules.

"Technically they cannot table the motion because the power lies with the speaker. It may not happen. But whatever it is, any attempt in Parliament that can be construed as breach of BN discipline, then appropriate action can be taken against them...it all depends on their actions," Najib told reporters in Putrajaya.

The SAPP MPs are Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau). Both had endorsed the SAPP's decision to move or support a motion of no confidence against Abdullah.

Disciplinary Action On SAPP MPs If They Support No Confidence Vote On PM - Najib

Saturday, 21 June 2008
(Bernama) -- The two Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) members of parliament will face disciplinary action from the Barisan Nasional (BN) if they proceed with their intention to table a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said whatever the actions of the two, if they breached the BN disciplinary code, would result in them being penalised for breach of party discipline.

"Technically they cannot table the motion because the power lies with the speaker. It may not happen. But whatever it is, any attempt in Parliament that can be construed as breach of BN discipline, then appropriate action can be taken against them...it all depends on their actions," said Najib, who is also BN chief whip.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the cabinet committee meeting on investment and infrastructure, he said the handing over of power by Abdullah to him and the SAPP's decision to initiate a vote of no confidence on the prime minister were two separate issues.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee declared on Wednesday that his party had lost confidence in Abdullah's leadership and it its two MPs (Sepanggar and Tawau) would support a vote of no confidence against the prime minister in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

The SAPP MPs are Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau).

At the BN emergency supreme council meeting yesterday, all other BN component parties rallied behind Abdullah, unanimously supporting the prime minister's leadership and condemned Yong for his latest move.

The SAPP supreme council after a lengthy five-hour meeting in Luyang, near Kota Kinabalu, today endorsed the decision for a vote of no confidence against Abdullah.

Najib said the handing over of power by Abdullah to him and the vote of no confidence were two separate issues, adding that whatever their decision or opinion cannot override the BN discipline.

"The BN is an institution which has clear cut procedures and disciplinary measures and actions which are known to members. It spells out clearly the do's and dont's of BN members," he said.

Najib said the BN supreme council had full powers to make any decision on the actions of any component party.

"On the role of BN Chief Whip, it is BN's policy that a member of parliament should table a motion that is detrimental to the coalition's interests and integrity.

"If the two SAPP MPs go ahead to support the no-confidence vote in parliament, they are clearly breaching the BN's code of discipline," he added.

Saturday June 21, 2008
Facing the axe

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) moved a step closer to being expelled from Barisan Nasional as it endorsed its president Datuk Yong Teck Lee’s call to support a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister.

The move virtually turns what was labelled Yong’s “personal view” to the official stand of the party, thus opening it up to disciplinary action from the coalition.

The reaction from the leaders of various Barisan component parties ranged from advising SAPP to voluntarily leave the coalition to outright calls for it to be expelled.

Other developments yesterday were:

> Barisan chief whip Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the two SAPP MPs will face action if they support a no-confidence vote,

> SAPP looks set for a split as one of its deputy presidents breaks ranks over the no-faith motion; and

> The Anti-Corruption Agency will investigate Yong for the alleged payment of RM5mil profit from the sale of shares in a state-owned company to his agents.
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Saturday June 21, 2008
Yong and deputy at odds over no-confidence motion
BY MUGUNTAN VANAR and RUBEN SARIO


KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party is under threat of snapping from a fracture between the party boss Datuk Yong Teck Lee and his deputy Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah.

This emerged after a highly charged five-hour supreme council meeting yesterday when Yong obtained a consensus on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the party made no decision on pulling out of Barisan Nasional.

Disputing what Yong told a packed press conference at the party headquarters crowded by members, Tan, immediately after the meeting, said the supreme council was split over the motion.

Tan said he and party youth chief Au Kam Wah had opposed the motion and they were supported by some of the 29 members of the supreme council present. (The council has 35 members).

He also disputed Yong’s contention that no decision was made for SAPP to pull out from Barisan.

“The consensus among us is to stay in Barisan,” said Tan, a Deputy Chief Minister who is seen as heading a Sandakan rebellion against Yong in the 14-year-old party which teamed up with Umno and other Barisan components in 1994, leading to the ouster of Parti Bersatu Sabah.

Standing firm on his party reasons for the motion, Yong said the party would become stronger from the consensus at the meeting and he did not foresee Tan quitting the party.

Tan, however, said he was keeping his options open.

“Whatever I’m going to do is my prerogative,” said Tan, adding that he could not specify the number of supreme councillors opposing the motion.

Supreme council member Jimmy Wong, who is aligned to Tan, said at least seven council members were against the move while fellow councillor Chong Pit Fah said that only Tan and Au opposed it.

“Each of us at the meeting was given the opportunity to speak our mind. Some spoke on the pros and cons. Au finally agreed with us,” said Chong in describing the meeting as emotionally charged at times.

Among the seven not present were the two other party deputy presidents Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun and Datuk Liew Teck Chan.

Majimbun, the Sepanggar MP, is in Europe while Liew, the Likas asemblyman, is in the Middle East.

Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui and assistant Finance Minister Melanie Chia, the Luyang assemblyman attended the meeting which was preceded by a four-eyed discussion between Yong and Tan.

Citing his party’s reasons for the motion, Yong said SAPP had nothing against Barisan but merely lost faith in Abdullah’s leadership.

Asked about Abdullah’s contention that the motion was his personal agenda, Yong said:

“That is an attempt as usual to divide and rule. Sabahans are divided into many parties, even in big parties. This is old style politics.”

Saturday June 21, 2008
‘Sandakan rebellion’ fomenting within SAPP

KOTA KINABALU: 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.

Saturday June 21, 2008
Leave Barisan, leaders tell SAPP

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) should pull out of Barisan Nasional instead of waiting to be expelled, the coalition’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said.

Tengku Adnan, who is also Umno secretary-general, said the coalition was aware of what SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee was plotting.

“SAPP should get out rather than expect to be sacked. We know what this party is trying to do.

“They are trying to ask Barisan to sack them, then put the blame on us and use it as an excuse to join Anwar (PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), but we are looking at it in a positive way,” he told The Star.

“How can a party within Barisan call for a vote of no-confidence against the ruling coalition president and on top of that want to remain in it? They just endorsed Yong’s statement. It is not fair to Barisan. Why create such a problem?” he asked.

Asked about Barisan’s next move, Tengku Adnan said: “We can’t do anything.”

However, he said Barisan altogether had agreed not to allow SAPP to use the coalition for Yong’s own agenda.

In KUCHING, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said:

“You cannot sponsor or support a no-confidence motion against the government and yet say you are still a backbencher. You are with the government.”

MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said SAPP's move was against the principle and spirit of Barisan.

He said Barisan component parties should abide by the leadership of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and not move a vote of no confidence against him.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said:

“We cannot have them slap us on our face and still remain friends. In principle, you cannot remain in Barisan and move a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister who was democratically elected by the majority of the people.”

Sarawak United People’s Party organising secretary Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said SAPP “should be a gentleman and leave Barisan.”

“We must have a principle that if we are voted in by the people as a Barisan component, we should stay the course instead of defecting mid-way.”

Liberal Democratic Party president Datuk V.K. Liew said the only choice left for Barisan was to sack SAPP.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said SAPP’s action was disrespectful despite the fact that the Barisan supreme council had given the party a “second chance”.

In KOTA BARU, Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin said he believes that Yong has a personal agenda.

However, he said he was informed that several of the party’s supreme council members including its Youth wing had objected to the no-confidence move.
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Relief as Sabah party holds off decision to quit BN coalition


Saturday, 21 June 2008
Govt announces probe of 12-year-old graft case against Sapp leader Yong
By Hazlin Hassan, The Straits Times



ALL FOR ONE: Sapp president Yong Teck Lee (seated at the centre) with supreme council members after a press conference at the party headquarters in Luyang, Sabah, yesterday. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
THE rebellious Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) did not make a decision on whether to leave Barisan Nasional after a meeting of its top leaders yesterday, bringing some relief for embattled Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

But the government was not sitting idle, as its anti-graft agency made a surprise announcement that it would probe the president of the party over a 12-year-old corruption case.

After a meeting that lasted more than six hours, Sapp's supreme council yesterday endorsed the call by president Yong Teck Lee for a vote of no-confidence against Datuk Seri Abdullah.

'It is a decision reached by consensus after hearing all the views. The majority of the supreme council members supported the motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister,' Mr Yong told reporters in the Sabah capital of Kota Kinabalu.

'The two Sapp MPs will support any vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister in Parliament or one of them will move the motion.'

The move not to make any decision to leave BN made the day a bit brighter for Mr Abdullah, who has been under pressure to quit from party critics even before the no-confidence move by the Sapp.

There are concerns in BN that had the party quit the coalition, other Sabah parties would quickly follow suit.

Datuk Seri Yong also found some relief yesterday, following reports that the meeting yesterday would lead to a showdown between him and his deputy Raymond Tan.

Mr Tan had lashed out at his chief, saying that the no-confidence vote would only strengthen the opposition.

There was no word of a showdown. Mr Tan was seen meeting Mr Yong alone for 50 minutes before yesterday's meeting, reports said.

But Mr Tan did not stay back for the press conference after the party meeting.

The 14-party BN, at its own meeting on Thursday, said it would not take action against Sapp as it first wanted an explanation from the Sabah party.

Mr Yong yesterday lobbed the ball back into BN's court, saying he would wait for a show-cause letter from the coalition before justifying the Sapp's actions.

Separately, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) said it is investigating Mr Yong over a 1996 case when he was Sabah's chief minister.

He was alleged to have made payment of RM5 million (S$2 million) from the sale of shares belonging to a state-owned company to 'his agents', The Star newspaper reported on its website.

But Mr Yong claimed that he had already given a lengthy statement to the ACA on this issue many years ago.

The ACA declared its intention to probe Mr Yong a day after a witness at a court trial claimed Mr Yong had paid RM5 million from proceeds of a share sale to selected people.

The ACA move was seen by some as a move by the Abdullah camp to hit back at the rebellious Sabah politician.

SAPP No. 2 to stay even if party expelled from BN

KOTA KINABALU, June 21 — Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah says he will remain loyal and stay on in the party despite the possibility of it being expelled from Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said although he and party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee had different views with regard to the decision to move a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his loyalty to SAPP should not be questioned.

"At the (SAPP Supreme Council) meeting, I stated that I am not going anywhere. Please, I don't intend to run away from the party despite our president wanting to proceed with the motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister and the fact BN will take action against SAPP.

"I am not going anywhere. I can accept whatever decisions to be taken by the BN," he told reporters at Kota Kinabalu International Airport before leaving for Sandakan today.

Nevertheless, Tan, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister, expressed regret over Yong's statement after yesterday's meeting that the party's decision to proceed with the no-confidence vote was unanimous.

"There was no unanimous decision. This was clear enough," he said, elaborating that at the meeting he and many other SAPP council members gave views against the party's decision.

Tan said he also disagreed with Yong's remark that the views forwarded by council members at the meeting were personal opinions though the decision was reached on consensus.

He said each supreme council member was supposed to be free to voice out and state their views. "I beg the president to present the truth on what happened at the meeting," he said.

On the views he gave at the meeting, Tan said that since SAPP had stated its stance not to abandon the BN, it was improper to proceed with the no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister.

On the move by the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate Yong in connection with alleged graft totalling RM5 million when he was Sabah Chief Minister, Tan hoped it was not politically motivated.

While holding back tears, he appealed to the Prime Minister not to take any action against Yong with regard to the issue because it would be considered as a threat to prevent party members from expressing their views freely. ─ Bernama

SAPP gets show-cause letter from BN supreme council

KOTA KINABALU, July 1 – Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has confirmed that it has received a show-cause letter from the Barisan Nasional (BN) supreme council today, which they say they will reply within the stipulated 30-day time frame.

"We have just received the BN show-cause letter, dated June 30 by Pos Laju.We will respond within 30 days," said party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee when commenting on the next course of action thye party will take.

Last week, BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said after the supreme council meeting that a show-cause letter would be issued to SAPP for calling for a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Najib added that SAPP had 30 days to reply and defend itself and a that a final decision would be made after it was received by the BN supreme council.

He said after the 30-day period, the supreme council would meet again to decide on which course of action to pursue which includes issuing SAPP a warning, imposing a suspension or even sacking SAPP from the Barisan coalition.

Asked to comment on the Anti-Corruption Agency's (ACA) probe on his involvement in the alleged RM5 million graft when he was the State chief minister in 1996, Yong said he had yet to be contacted by the Agency.

Yong was supposed to have been questioned at the Sabah ACA office last week but this was postponed and the Agency has not disclosed the reasons for the delay.

Yong caused a stir when he announced on June 18 that the Party would file a no-confidence motion at the Dewan Rakyat against Abdullah, citing among other things, dissatisfaction with the Federal government’s approach in tackling issues involving Sabah . – Bernama