YONG TECK LEE GENIE

The above cartoon was posted in Malaysia Today by a reader.

Yong Teck Lee抯 Genie

Friday, 20 June 2008
A strong above seven-magnitude earthquake would be Pakatan Rakyat, Sabah, Sarawak and even Peninsular MPs vote for the motion. Even bolder assumption, all anti-Abdullah Umno members join the move to vote for the motion.

By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily

Datuk Yong Teck Lee holds no official position and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) led by him has only two MPs and four State Assemblymen, with there’s nothing note worthy about them.

It was the people's view in the past. However, from now on, everyone is going to re-evaluate Yong as he dared to provoke his boss. The people are now watching him with their eyes and mouth wide opened. He is playing an important game but no one knows what he is actually up to.

A “little” SAPP is going to move a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister in the Parliament. Is Yong bold or foresighted?

Is he taking the opportunity to raise his bargaining chip to exchange for more capitals or does he really want the Prime Minister to step down?

It looks like a folktale but after the magic lamp has been found, everything is no longer the same.

The “powerful” BN could immediately expel SAPP from the coalition according to the usual ritual so that it would disappear from the political arena forever.

In the past, severe disciplinary action would be taken against any BN elected representative including deputy ministers and ministers if they said something contrary to BN's (read Umno’s) stand.

Disciplinary actions have been taken against Datuk Ong Tee Keat from MCA, Datuk S.Sothinathan and K. Devamany from MIC, as well as Gerakan's S. Paranjothy although they only came out with some unpleasant remarks which were not threats to BN coalition or it's leaders.

"Even worse, whether it is actually a trap?"
And now, what action should be taken against SAPP which wants to move a motion of no-confidence on the Prime Minister?

The question is: does BN, no, Umno dare to take any action against SAPP?

It looks like the coalition would lose only two seats in the Parliament if SAPP is being expelled from the coalition. Losing two from the total of 140 seats will not be a threat to its regime.

However, no one knows whether Yong is supported by any power and what is the motive behind his strategy. Even worse, whether it is actually a trap?

If BN takes any action against SAPP, would it trigger a domino effect that makes other member parties leave the coalition like SAPP?

Have Ghapur Salleh and Anifah Aman (Sabah Umno), Bernard Dompok (United PasokMomogun Kadazandusun Organisation), Joseph Pairin Kitingan (Parti Bersatu Sabah) and Joseph Kurup (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) come to an agreement to leave the coalition with Yong being the vanguard?

This time, taking tough action against SAPP will not bring any great effect.

There is not much time left, Abdullah can only take soft action. He tries to persuade the coalition's member parties in Sabah and meet their requests.

It will certainly be surprising if Yong and Abdullah can come to a compromise within a few days. However, it has created a shock effect that showed Sabah BN and Anwar can actually do it.

If Yong sticks to his guns, then no one can predict the magnitude of the earthquake which is going to hit Parliament Monday.

A minor below six-magnitude would be SAPP or Pakatan Rakyat moves a motion of no-confidence on the Prime Minister but being denied by the Speaker before the motion is being debated. If this happens, it will not harm Abdullah's status but it still damages his image and reputation.

While a medium below seven-magnitude earthquake would be the Speaker allowing debate and vote for the motion but Pakatan Rakyat and coalition's Sabah member parties failed to obtain majority support.

Abdullah will then keep his regime but he will be the first Malaysian Prime Minister to face a motion of no-confidence. It will harm his prestige and affect his status in the future.

A strong above seven-magnitude earthquake would be Pakatan Rakyat, Sabah, Sarawak and even Peninsular MPs vote for the motion. Even bolder assumption, all anti-Abdullah Umno members join the move to vote for the motion.

The motion will be passed and Abdullah will have to step down.

Abdullah can seek for approval from the Yang di-pertuan Agong to dissolve the Parliament and hold a general elections. Or Pakatan Rakyat will propose a candidate as the new Prime Minister and a vote will be conducted.

From now on until Monday is the climax of the competition. It is also the peak for negotiations. It is hard to tell what kind of genie has been released by Yong from the magic lamp!

NST Online » Frontpage
2008/06/21

SAPP endorses motion of no-confidence
By Joniston Bangkuai and Jaswinder Kaurnews@nst.com.my


KOTA KINABALU: Inviting expulsion from the Barisan Nasional, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) yesterday reaffirmed its decision to call for a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

After a nearly day-long meeting, SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said the supreme council was unanimous in endorsing the tabling of a vote of no-confidence in parliament against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, which Yong had announced on Wednesday.

Abdullah said on Thursday the SAPP would not be sacked as an emergency BN meeting with component leaders in Kuala Lumpur believed Yong's call was not the stand of the party.

The SAPP supreme council meeting, which started at 11.10am and ended at 4.30pm, saw 29 of its 35 supreme council members present, including deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah who had earlier met Yong privately for close to an hour. Tan, however, did not stay for the press conference.

Two other deputies -- Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Eric Majimbun and Likas assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan -- were overseas on official duty.

"On our position in the BN, we have taken various factors into consideration, including the propaganda onslaught against the SAPP.

"In regard to the no-confidence motion against the prime minister, it is the supreme council's decision to endorse it. It was reached based on consensus," he said.

He reiterated that the motion could be tabled by one of its two MPs, Majimbun or Tawau MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui, some time during the parliamentary sitting due to begin on Monday.

Yong said all supreme council members had agreed to accept the decision despite their respective views.

Pressed on whether the party was still with the BN and if the matter of it leaving the coalition was brought up, Yong said it was discussed although it was not in the agenda of the meeting.

He said the party was "ready to face all consequences" when asked if it was waiting for the BN to expel it.

Yong expressed surprise that the SAPP was not invited to Thursday's BN meeting chaired by Abdullah.

"According to the BN secretary-general (Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor), we were not invited as the meeting was held to discuss the SAPP.

"According to the information I received, it was held to expel us from the BN but that did not materialise for whatever reason.

"If there was no agenda to expel us, then why were we not invited?" he said.

He said the party was ready to answer in writing to the BN if there was a request for it to do so. Asked if the SAPP was still committed to the BN, Yong said the party was "committed to our platforms, and to our causes".

When another reporter posed the same question hoping to get more answers, Yong asked if the BN was committed to Sabah.

Yong answered a range of questions in the 40-minute packed press conference at the party's headquarters in Wisma Bornion, near here, with vice-president and Tawau MP Dr Chua Soon Bui on his left, party secretary-general Richard Yong on his right and almost all leaders who had attended the meeting standing close by.

Also present at the press conference was assistant finance minister and Luyang assemblywoman Melanie Chia.

Yong denies being offered DPM post

KOTA KINABALU, June 22 — Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee has described Umno Youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin's disclosure of him being offered the deputy prime minister's post as absurd.

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

"If not because superb victories of Sabah and Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN)… BN would have fallen in the last election. So, what's wrong with us asking for a little attention. Khairy is a young man. He has to learn a lot," Yong said during a meet-the-people function at the Likas multipurpose hall yesterday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yong trumpets for equality, respect

KOTA KINABALU, June 23 — In the Land below the Wind, as Sabah is known, maverick politician Datuk Yong Teck Lee is blowing away old assumptions of federal-state ties and calling for equal partnership.

His tiny Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has created a storm in expressing its lack of faith in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi but not the Barisan Nasional (BN) — a small component rebelling against the parent but not leaving the family just yet.

"It would be much healthier if the federal government could adjust their mentality, attitude and mindset that we are actually partners rather than sons," Yong said in explaining the SAPP's decision to move or support a no-confidence motion in Parliament.

But his two MPs — Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) and Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) — were not in Parliament this morning despite anticipation from the enlarged opposition ranks of 82 in the Dewan Rakyat. Excluding the SAPP duo, BN has 138 other MPs.

The party's four assemblymen in the Sabah Assembly are also of no consequence numerically in the state government. But Yong is not concerned about that, saying Putrajaya should do away with the "father-and-son" superiority complex and instead start looking at the states as their partners and equals.
He noted this mentality prevented members of the coalition from opening up and saying what they felt, especially after the BN was mauled in Peninsular Malaysia in the March 8 polls, losing four more states and its traditional two-thirds parliamentary majority.

Only the Sabah and Sarawak BN component parties pulled through to help form the federal government but Abdullah did not reward their efforts with more Cabinet appointments, leading to the current political storm.

While Yong has been roundly condemned in Peninsular Malaysia for his audacious step, his popularity and support has soared in Sabah, proving both Borneo states are critical for any coalition wanting to form the federal government.

Yong's supporters echo his words at various ceramahs over the weekend in Sabah, applauding thunderously when the former chief minister brings up the failure of the federal government to address pressing issues including the lack of senior Cabinet posts.

"I was hoping that Sabah would finally get the goodies it deserves after the BN won all but one parliamentary seat. I felt really sad when our leaders were given rather unimportant ministerial positions when we should have been given stronger portfolios such as the Home Ministry and Rural and Regional Development," a social activist said over the weekend.

A local businessman agreed with Yong that Sabah gets 20 per cent in oil royalties instead of the current 5 per cent, as the money was being used to fund projects in the peninsula.

"It actually hurts to see the Petronas Twin Towers. We just want to be treated as equals, not as lesser citizens. I will support SAPP if it chooses to opt out of the BN and stand for elections," he said.

Yong knows the residual seam of discontent in Sabah against Malaya, as Peninsular Malaysia was called before it combined with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia in 1963. Some are even disgusted that Malaysia celebrates National Day on Aug 31 with a public holiday and not Malaysia Day on Sept 16.

"Kalau saya berdiam dan sokong BN, tidak ada kes (If I keep quiet and support the BN, there would be no case). When I fight, they want to arrest me… some people think that when we go against them, we have an ulterior motive such as trying to get positions," he said over the weekend, alluding to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) restarting a 5-year-old probe against him.

But he was confident that the BN will have to stay its hand as sacking the SAPP would make other Sabah parties more critical of Abdullah's tenure as prime minister.

The BN supreme council decision last week to hold off any decision on SAPP reflects Yong's 25-year experience in politics and astute reading of the current political landscape and underscoring Borneo's importance for anyone eyeing Putrajaya.

And that is what its about. Equality and partnership in exchange for support for the top.

Yong: Regard Sabah, S’wak as ‘partners’ and not ‘sons’

Monday, 23 June 2008
(Borneo Post) - The federal government should regard Sabah and Sarawak as their ‘partners’ rather than ‘sons’, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

Yong stressed that the federal government should do away with the ‘father and son’ superiority, where the Barisan Nasional government tended to bow to the mentality of a father disciplining their children.

“That seems to be the way they treat us in Sabah. When we are naughty or making too much noise, they give us some sweets.

“This is not a healthy relationship. It makes us unwilling to listen, and not open up and express our feelings,” he said, referring to statements made by BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor about SAPP’s move to support the vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the Parliament sitting.

The former Chief Minister said history showed that both Sabah and Sarawak along with West Malaysia were joined together to form Malaysia, and therefore the two states deserved to be viewed as equals.

“It would be much healthier if the federal government could adjust their mentality, attitude and mindset that we are actually partners, rather than sons.

“We hope that what we see now will bring about change in how the central leadership looks at the two states,” he told reporters at the SAPP’s mobile service booth at the Sunday Gaya Street market, where the party leaders would spend time to listen to public grouses.

Yong, who was also at the booth yesterday which attracted a big crowd and many stopped by to chat or shake his hands.

Touching on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s comment that BN would remain strong despite SAPP’s no confidence vote against the Prime Minister, Yong said that it was the expected response from the party leadership.

“They must say their part in order to consolidate the BN in view of what has been happening. I will just take what he said at face value,” said Yong.

On support from other BN component parties, he said that at least two component parties would be happy to go along with whatever the party leadership decided, but he hoped that the other component parties would lend their support.

“I think that a lot of people will support us. I know certain leaders at the federal level and from other states have basically lost confidence in the Prime Minister and some have indicated it within their own parties,” he said, hoping the vote for no confidence would be tabled during the Parliament session which begins today.

Sabahans see Yong as standing up to KL

ANALYSIS
KOTA KINABALU, June 23 — The dark clouds, strong winds and heavy rain that take over the sunny skies every afternoon over the last few days is reflective of Sabah’s current turbulent political mood.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), which has remained loyal to the Barisan Nasional ever since its inception in 1994, has rocked the coalition’s strong state boat, now that it is adamant about going ahead with the vote of no confidence against the prime minister.

Once a fellow rower in steering the coalition forward after the BN received major setbacks in the peninsula in the March 8 elections, SAPP seems ready to head off on its own into unchartered waters.



Its president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee refuses to bow to pressure, and is openly stating that he is prepared to be jailed now that the Anti-Corruption Agency wants to investigate him over a case he was already questioned about five years ago.

He has become hugely unpopular among his BN comrades although SAPP is still with the coalition.

Statements such as “sack the SAPP” and “he has been offered the position of deputy prime minister by Anwar Ibrahim” are being pelted at him, but the 53-year-old former chief minister of Sabah has managed to answer all accusations showing his 25 years’ experience in politics.

“Kalau saya berdiam dan sokong BN, tidak ada kes (If I keep quiet and support the BN, there would be no case). When I fight, they want to arrest me… some people think that when we go against them, we have an ulterior motive such as trying to get positions.

“This is their mindset. This is political bribe. Let me go to jail, you go and stand in elections and continue with our struggles,” he shouted out in a community hall in Kampung Likas, about 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu on Saturday afternoon during a hastily-planned meet-the-people session to “explain issues of the day.”

And as the rain continued to lash down on the tiny hall, about 500 party members and supporters largely from the Bumiputera community who had jostled in to listen to Yong an hour before he arrived, yelled back words of support and gave him a thunderous applause each time he brought up the failure of the federal government to address pressing issues.

It is fast becoming obvious that despite attempts by BN leaders to undermine Yong, and to pit his deputy Datuk Raymond Tan against him, he remains popular and is gaining fresh support.

At the end of his hour-long speech, supporters scrambled to shake his hand, and a frail elderly woman in a pink headscarf gave him a hug. Yong seemed to know each person who went up to him by his/her name.

“Although I am a supporter of the BN, I know what Yong is doing is right. Too many promises have been made, yet we have not seen any concrete solutions coming from the federal government.

“We gave the BN 24 seats in Parliament… we only lost one seat (Kota Kinabalu which went to the DAP) but still the federal government does not seem to care. I will continue to support Yong. I was his supporter when he was in Parti Bersatu Sabah and when he left, I did not abandon him,” Aishah, a housewife in her 40s, said after listening to Yong speak.

Another supporter said she may be uneducated but she knows what the true qualities of a leader are.

“Yong and his party leaders stick with the people. He comes to our home during the fasting month, he sends us prayer mats and he attends every funeral, birth and kenduri (feast) although we are of different faith,” a grandmother in her 50s said.

At the Gaya street fair in Kota Kinabalu, where SAPP has a community service booth, hundreds walked up to Yong on Sunday morning to wish him well, with some patting his back and telling him that he has their support.

A leader of a non-governmental organisation said while the government has done a lot for the people, there were issues that have yet to be tackled.

“I am not denying that the federal government has pumped in a lot of money to help Sabah but we are still paying more than our friends in the peninsula for a lot of items. We are plagued with the illegal immigrant problem, there are so many stateless street children and everyone is just wondering what is happening.

“I was hoping that Sabah would finally get the goodies it deserves after the BN won all but one parliamentary seat. I felt really sad when our leaders were given rather unimportant ministerial positions when we should have been given stronger portfolios, such as the Home Ministry and Rural and Regional Development.

“Then I thought that the demands Sabah leaders were making would finally hit home with the federal government. I waited in anticipation to read the newspapers on June 1, a day after the prime minister came to Kota Kinabalu to deliver his bag of presents.

“Imagine my disappointment when the only thing Sabah saw was the abolishment of the federal development department and the appointment of a Sabahan vice-chancellor for Universiti Malaysia Sabah. These are things that should have been done a long time ago,” the NGO leader said.

General conversations at coffee shops, sparked by front page headlines about SAPP’s daring move, are mostly in favour of Yong. Though some question SAPP’s true motive, the same skeptics admit that federal leaders must listen to demands from Sabah instead of turning a blind eye.

“Where is the Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants that we have been asking for? We don’t want another Cabinet Committee on illegals. It has not worked in the past, and it will not work now. We want to see commitment.

“I am also glad that SAPP is asking for a 20 per cent oil royalty payment, compared to the five per cent we are getting now. There are so many poor people in Sabah, and yet money from our soil is being used to fund huge projects in the peninsula.

“It actually hurts to see the Petronas twin towers. We just want to be treated as equals, not as lesser citizens. I will support SAPP if it chooses to opt out of the BN and stand for elections,” a business owner said.

Newspapers in Sabah are filled with reports on SAPP, with fair coverage to the party and its critics, allowing readers to be the judge. But as one observer pointed out, the more television stations and the mainstream peninsula papers go against the SAPP, the party will gain more ground.

Blogs, including the one SAPP runs, are abuzz with words of encouragement, with some labelling Yong a hero for standing up for the rights of Sabahans.

“I have never heard of your party and I know that it is just a small one, but you have done the right thing,” one entry read.

As SAPP faces new battles ahead every day, the only thing that will keep the party going is support from within and outside.

Whether SAPP will be able to survive in the stormy waters it has thrown itself in still remains to be seen, but as one party leader put it, “It’s time to do or die!”

Yong Is Likely To Be Summoned To Sabah ACA Office Tuesday


Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee is likely to be summoned to the State's Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) office, here Tuesday in connection with alleged graft involving RM5 million when he was Sabah Chief Minister.

According to a reliable source, Yong is required to be at the ACA office at about 2.30pm.

It is not known whether the ACA is trying to build up a case against him or to collect more information to assist its investigation into the case.

Yong had earlier alleged that the ACA's move in opening investigation papers on him was a threat and questioned the timing, a day after Yong declared he had lost confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on June 18.

On Saturday, ACA director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said the ACA had opened investigation papers on Yong in connection with the case.

On June 19, the Kuala Lumpur High Court was told that Yong had ordered the payment of over RM5 million profit from the sale of shares belonging to a state-owned company to his selected agents in 1996.

Ahmad Said said ACA took the action because elements of corruption existed following the testimony of a witness during the trial.

He said it was normal practice for the ACA to open investigation papers following evidence given by witnesses in court.

Ahmad Said said the investigation papers were opened not just on Yong but also eight other people named as recipients of the RM5 million and Briskmark Enterprise Sdn Bhd former director Datuk Wasli Mohd Said, who gave the evidence in court regarding the matter. - BERNAMA

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
Tuesday, 24 June, 2008
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Yong cries bullying tactics and threats; recalls Eric, Chua

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is taking extra caution and has called back its two MPs to the party headquarters for consultations on the next course of action, including on the safety of their families and security of their offices.

Its President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said in a statement that SAPP leaders had been advised by friendly parties not to underestimate the risky consequences and likely threats to the party and leaders ever since it announced the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister last Wednesday.

He said events in the last 24 hours had also taken a disturbing turn.

"Among others, we have received reports on intimidating and bullying tactics. Several illegal banners instigating unspecified actions against the Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui appeared overnight in Tawau.

"A demonstration at the office of the Tawau MP will be held on Tuesday, (June 24), which was originally to be held after the last Friday prayers," he said, adding that SAPP has advised its Tawau officials to lodge police reports, not to provoke the demonstrators and take leave from the office until tensions have eased.

During an Umno gathering of several hundred here, Sunday, aggressive words touching on racial incitement were used, he said, adding Short Messaging Services (SMSes) and unidentified phone calls implying threats to the two MPs and their aides had also been received.

Yong said SAPP was, however, encouraged by the tremendous outpouring of support for the party's move.

"Our perseverance on this course of action is very much helped in knowing that the people are with us. We are deeply touched that brother and sister Malaysians everywhere, including in the peninsula and Sarawak and overseas are coming forward to support.

"We can feel the pent-up frustrations of ordinary Malaysians that want change, a change for the better," he said, adding that SAPP was also overwhelmed by the voices in the printed media, Internet, emails, SMS, blogs and so on.

Media discussions, be it in favour or not of SAPP, have successfully brought the Sabah issues to the national focus, he said.

"Never shall Sabah be looked down upon again. We stand with our brothers and sisters in other parts of our beloved country in facing the difficult challenges ahead and that we shall overcome eventually," he said.

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
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Consider SAPP's 14-point proposals: Yong

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) on Wednesday again called on the Federal and State governments to at least consider the party's 14-point proposals on the illegal immigrant issue submitted to the Prime Minister and authorities over the last two years.

"We also stand by our memorandum 'Illegal Immigrants - Mother of All Threats' presented to the then Deputy Prime Minister (now Prime Minister) in August 1999," said President Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

Yong said SAPP thanked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for announcing plans for a massive operation to flush out illegal immigrants in Sabah.

He said security, law and order were basic constitutional duties of the Government.

"The rakyat should not have to suffer while waiting for the Government to take its time in tackling crimes, illicit drugs, street children, illegal cigarette vendors and a host of other problems associated with illegal immigrants," he said.

Since Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and the Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar had earlier said the Philippines government was reluctant to accept back their citizens, it means a "massive operation" may result in overcrowding of the detention centres, he said.

"I recall that in October 2006, the then Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Radzi, had declared that the 15 detention centres in the country had already reached crisis point. But nothing was done about this crisis which has already worsened," he said.

To sum up, Yong said the range of measures that the Government must take without delay was to detain illegal out-sourcing agents (like snake heads) and local syndicates who smuggle in illegals.

Also the involvement of the military, Rela and boosting of resources for the police in terms of manpower, equipment, transport, navy boats, air patrols and massive funding, he added.

According to him, SAPP was still waiting for a simple answer as to why the Malaysian consulate cannot be relocated from Davao to Zamboanga.

He said since the Philippines is reluctant to take back their citizens, Malaysia must use its superior international position in Asean and OIC to leverage the Philippines government to cooperate in solving this human misery affecting their citizens.

"The steps that can be taken include the setting up of a Philippine consulate in Sabah, tighter control over the Zamboanga-Sandakan ferry services and imposition of a bond on return tickets for non-Malaysian travellers," he said.

Yong said it is understood that the United States spends about US$200 million (RM620 million) per year in the Southern Philippines in socio-economic aid as part of their (American) national security efforts to tackle the breeding ground for potential terrorists.

"What is the role of Malaysia, Asean and OIC in all these win-win smart partnership programmes?" he asked.

Yong said without having these regional perspectives on the illegal immigrant problem, any enforcement, however massive, amounts to no more than a superficial, simplistic approach that will only stretch the country's national resources, cram the detention centres and promise no long-term solutions.

Economic opportunities in Sabah provide the 'pull' factor, which attracts illegal immigrants from the southern Philippines and Indonesia.

"The 'push' factor that drives Filipinos to Sabah is political and economics, while for Indonesians it is mostly a matter of livelihood," he said.

Therefore, a holistic approach to dealing with Sabah's illegal immigrant problems includes understanding and addressing issues of development and poverty in the territories concerned, he added.

He said the Philippines territorial claim over Sabah, for example, cannot be brushed aside although it is not recognised by Malaysia.

The breakdown of the peace process in southern Philippines, the friction between the different factions pursuing autonomy in Muslim Mindanao are issues that are intriguingly linked to the immigration of Filipinos into Sabah.

"SAPP thanks the Deputy Prime Minister for the announcement and looks forward to a more holistic, long term and effective solution to this mother of all threats that has been a nightmare for the people of Malaysia," he said.

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
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No forcing BN components to back us: Yong

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee denied that support for the issues raised by the party as well as the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister is waning.

"Actually many from the Barisan Nasional and Umno itself agree and support (us), whether they want to do this openly is up to them," he said when asked why none of those described by Yong as "friends from BN" who are supporting SAPP have joined them till now.

Yong said he knew for a fact that SAPP has the support (from them) including on the call of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"This I know for a fact but if they are still not ready we don't push and force them, (at the moment) we are monitoring only," he said when met after his latest round of briefings to the people, this time in Kampung Unggun Jaya, Menggatal, Saturday.

After Unggun Jaya, Yong and SAPP party leaders including Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun went to Kampung Bantayan in Inanam to hold a similar session where they briefed the local community on current political issues.

Last week, the session was held in Kampung Likas.

Yong said it was understandable that some of them (supporters) were also monitoring the situation because ever since SAPP dropped the bombshell, "big stones have been hurled from above (at SAPP)."

"No, they are not running away but É I understand they are human beings too. So we will just have to be patient," he said.

On observations that SAPP is now as though trapped, Yong laughed it off, saying: "We will go ahead with the no-confidence motion on the Prime Minister. What we are seeing, for instance, the incident in Parliament when the backbenchers themselves removed the barricade installed by orders of the Parliament Speaker and Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri AzizÉall these are signs of loss of confidence.

"Not only that it has lost control, losing control of (their) own backbenchers inside Parliament some more. Why? Because they have lost confidence."

Yong said the June 24 panic in Sabah following talk of petrol kiosks going on strike was a sign that the people, too, are losing confidence.

As for the show cause letter issued by the BN to SAPP, he said they were still waiting for it but stressed that SAPP would answer it in detail within the stipulated 30 days.

"We want to see the letter first because we want to know whether it is merely a show cause letter or if it also spelt out what it perceived as wrongdoings on the part of SAPP," he said.

SAPP is also monitoring the situation following the "instigation" against its two Members of Parliament, he said when asked if the two MPs would proceed to move or support the motion of no-confidence

Sabah leaders against giving PR status to Filipinos

KOTA KINABALU, July 4 ─ Sabahans are against the proposal to give Filipinos who have stayed in Malaysia for some time permanent resident (PR) status.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the Philippine government should not make such a proposal, but instead cooperate in resolving the problem by taking them back.

"Both countries should discuss and finds ways to resolve the problem," he said in response to a statement by Philippine Migrant Affairs Assistant Secretary Esteban Conejos that Filipinos in Sabah be given PR status.

Yong described the proposal by the Philippine government as shirking its responsibility to the 200,000 Filipinos working in Sabah's plantation and construction sectors.

He urged the Malaysian government to take an aggressive approach to the problem and not wait for the Philippine government to act.

Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Bersatu (UPKO) deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing said the party was also against the proposal to give PR status to Filipinos.

"Even those from Peninsular Malaysia are not given automatic residence. The government must be careful in this and must protect the local population."

Bumburing proposed that illegal immigrants, including those with the IMM13 document, be deported.

IMM13 is a document issued by the Immigration Department allowing Filipino refugees temporary stay in Sabah.

Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said the government should firstly consider the interest of locals before giving PR status to foreigners.

"Foreigners who apply for PR status must meet the stipulated conditions. There must not be automatic issuance or flexibility in this," he said.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Datuk V.K. Liew is also against Manila's proposal on the PR status.

"Length of stay in the country is not an automatic qualification for an applicant of PR. All applications must satisfy the requirements laid down by our laws.

"Those who come to Sabah illegally must be deported to their country of origin without delay," he said. ─ Bernama

Yong: Don’t divert from real issues affecting the people

8th July, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leaders and members have been advised not to fall into the trap of racial opportunists who whip up tensions in order to divert attention from the real issues affecting the people.

Issuing the advice, SAPP president SAPP President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee said this is because they believe the real issues affecting the people are rising costs of living, stagnating economy, illegal immigrant problem as well as the issue of Sabahans heading federal departments and equitable share of oil revenue.

“We must not allow racial politics to bury the real issues affecting the people nor do anything to give the authorities an excuse to declare emergency,” he said when speaking to some 300 people at the briefing session for SAPP leaders, members and supporters at the party HQ in Bornion Centre here on Sunday.

Yong was obviously concerned with media reports in the last few days on the prospects of an emergency rule that would lead to the suspension of Parliament.

“The disclosure of the six-day joint exercises starting July 2 between the armed forces and the police in maintaining domestic public order can be seen as a type of “psychological preparation”.

“This has caused anxiety among the people. The denial (of impending emergency rule) from the PM carries no weight among the people because of his previous assurance of no fuel hike, no fuel for foreign cars assurances, among others,” he said.

Yong also said the blatant stirring of racial sentiments was proven beyond doubt on July 2, when the MP for Kota Belud who is also the UMNO Youth National Secretary, issued a terse warning using inflammatory Malay words like “tumpah darah” (bloodshed) if SAPP MPs were to proceed with the no confidence motion on the PM.

“This kind of inflammatory talk is totally unwarranted and an affront to parliamentary democracy. SAPP hails the decision of the Speaker, himself from the Kota Belud district, for putting a stop to the remarks of this first term MP,” added Yong.

The SAPP president also noted that during the weekend before the Umno Tawau demonstration, deputy Youth leader, Khairy Jamaluddin was in Tawau and later made wild accusations against him (Yong).

“All BN component parties, including UMNO, have admitted that the brandishing of the keris at previous UMNO Youth conventions was a major cause of the loss of BN. Unfortunately, these youth leaders just never learn.

“And last week, an UMNO vice president, who is also a Chief Minister, supported the demonstrations by UMNO in Tawau and Sepanggar. Such instigation has re-created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear among sections of the people,” he added.

He went on to say that although SAPP’s political culture was non-racial, it nonetheless does not underestimate the UMNO-PAS battle cry of “Ketuanan Melayu”.

Yong claimed to have been told personally by a senior UMNO leader that if SAPP proceeded with the motion against the PM, then it would be seen as a Chinese party versus the Malay leadership.

“SAPP’s move is based on the genuine grievances of the people and Sabah issues. Racial conflict is never a part of our agenda,” he fervently asserted.

Meanwhile, he also said the party would stick to its stand that it has lost confidence in the PM.

“Change is only a matter of time because the people have lost confidence in the PM. BN leaders too have lost confidence. The SAPP nor its president has anything personal against the PM,” he said.

Yong recalled that when Abdullah first became PM, he emphatically asked the people to tell him the truth and to work with him, not work for him.

He also said the removal of barricades at Parliament lobby and the fiasco of attacks and counter attacks involving top leaders of the country were glaring display of loss of authority on a scale unseen in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, he also reaffirmed SAPP’s 8-Point Declaration of June 20 this year, adding that the party was forming special committees to look into the formulation and implementation of laws and policies towards the complete fulfilment of the struggle contained in the declaration.

“SAPP shall continue to play our role as a people-based party striving for the people. We will not do anything to give the authorities an excuse to declare emergency rule,” he stressed.















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Master-servant mentality must go, says Yong

Kota Kinabalu: The people of Sabah, especially its leaders, have been urged to discard the "servant-master" mentality in dealings with the Federal Government.

Speaking at a briefing for the party faithful, Sunday, SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said such mentality among a majority of current leaders was among main contributing factors for Sabah losing its autonomy and being transformed from a wealthy State to the second poorest in Malaysia today.

"Before we can better understand the current political situation in the country, we first need to understand the formation of Malaysia back in 1963. Sabah did not join Malaysia, we formed Malaysia!

"This is not something that is proclaimed by me. This is clearly stated in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement. We are not a branch of the Federal Government. Sabah is a partner to the Federation of Malaysia," he pointed out.

He expressed disgust over the "servant-like" mentality-and-attitude of some State leaders who always went all out to please their political masters at the Federal level as reflected in the excessive body language when welcoming and sending-off of Federal leaders at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).

On the recent remarks by Barisan Nasional (BN) Sec-Gen Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor likening the relations between Federal and Sabah to that of "father and son", Yong countered:

"We are not sons, we are not servants. We are equal, we formed Malaysia, no Sabah, no Malaysia! We demand 20 per cent for our oil royalties, we want Labuan to be returned to us and we want autonomy for Sabah," he declared, to thunderous applause.

The former Chief Minister also slammed the statement by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mathir Mohammed while campaigning in Labuan back in 1990 that BN does not require the support of Sabah and Sarawak to form the Federal Government as the coalition has enough support back in Peninsular Malaysia.

"That was back in 1990, but today, without Sabah and Sarawak, BN won't be the ruling government. If not because of (support of) Sabah and Sarawak, Pak Lah will now be the Opposition leader," he quipped.

'No-faith motion meant to press for better deal'


Kota Kinabalu: YONG also took a swipe at the Federal leadership's carrot-and-stick tactic to attempt to subdue state leaders who dared to stand up against the Federal government for what he described as "mistreating Sabah and its people".

"First they give us a Senatorship and when it was turned down, they come up with the Special Envoy to BIMP-EAGA and when it was again turned down, they immediately sent in the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA)," he said.

Touching on the goodies for Sabah announced by the PM last month, including the additional RM1 million development fund for each MP, Yong said the no-confidence motion against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to be proposed by its two MPs was to press for a better deal and treatment for Sabah.

Citing Section 4 of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 which clearly stipulates that oil royalties can be reviewed, he asserted that the people of Sabah should not feel shy or guilty about demanding an increase in oil royalties from five per cent to 20 per cent.

"Without our oil reserve there won't be Petronas in Sabah today.

Furthermore they are selling our oil back to us at a higher price when the prices of fuel in Brunei are only half our fuel price."

He noted that like in the case of BN, if not because of Sabah Petronas could have been administered by others today and not BN or Umno.

"Is it not reasonable for us to ask about the delegation of powers to the State authority? And bear in mind that as of March this year, Petronas made a profit of RM90 billion. Our fuel subsidy is only RM13.7 billion so where has the rest of the money gone?"

He also questioned whether there is a member from Sabah in the National Petroleum Advisory Council as allowed for under Section 5 of the said Act and, if so, who is this particular individual.

"SAPP will closely pursue this and other issues of interests to the people," he stressed. Touching on issue of political autonomy, Yong said by right the people of Sabah should have a full say in determining their elected representatives (YBs) including the Chief Minister.

Unfortunately, under the present setting, a majority of these positions were secured through extensive lobbying and public relations (PR) exercise at the Federal level, including showering the Federal leadership with all kinds of gifts and gestures.

"I'm really ashamed and disgusted to witness all these. Where is our pride and dignity?" he asked. "After the last general election, power must be returned to the people of Sabah. If the people of Terengganu and Perlis can determine the candidates for their Chief Ministers why can't Sabah?

"We in Sabah should be allowed to elect our own Chief Minister, one who is more willing to fight for the interests of the State and its people," he stressed.

He noted that the replacement of the former Menteri Besar of Terengganu Datuk Idris Jusoh was due to the fact that during his tenure he failed to fight for the return of the five per cent oil royalties to the State.

"Now, the current Menteri Besar of Terengganu Datuk Ahmad Said who is duly elected by the people has succeeded in claiming back the 5 per cent oil royalties. Hence, we in Sabah also should have a Chief Minister who is truly elected by the people," he stressed.

Yong also touched on the issue of unfair policies and economic imbalances affecting Sabah including paying higher prices for controlled items like rice.

"For the past 12 years, Sabah subsidised Bernas RM200 million per year, equivalent to every family including illegal immigrants paying RM1 per day to Bernas. The same thing in Sarawak. All this was due to the rice monopoly by Bernas," he lambasted.

He also noted that most of the business licences and permits are being issued at Federal level, thus incurring a higher cost of doing business in Sabah and Sarawak.

Also present were SAPP's deputy presidents, Datuk Liew Teck Chan, Datuk Eric Majimbun, its vice president Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui, its Treasurer-general Datuk Wong Yit Ming, its Wanita Chief Melanie Chia, its Advisers Datuk Lee Sen, Datuk Paul Wong and Datuk Yeoh Kai Seng, and Datuk Philip Yong Chiew Lip among others.

Yong: Government out to split SAPP

Written by St Low
Thursday, 10 July 2008
(The Star) - KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee broke his silence claiming some federal leaders were out to split his party and isolate him.
In a statement yesterday, three days after Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui revealed that they were putting on hold a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, Yong also felt that they were trying to put the party in bad light.

He said that although Dr Chua, the party vice president, had never stated that the proposed motion of no confidence had been “dropped” or “aborted,” it had been misinterpreted.

The Monday meeting between Dr Chua and Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (in charge of Parliament) Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz was “unfortunate,” said Yong, and cast SAPP in a bad light as though SAPP had backtracked from the no-confidence motion against the PM.

“This latest twist makes me sad that our noble struggle has been damaged in the eyes of the people whose hopes for a better future rested with SAPP,” he said.

In stating that he wanted to put things in the right perspective, Yong said he had informed Dr Chua to be “extremely careful when dealing with some KL leaders; it is like swimming with the sharks.”

“I had alerted her that we had discovered the tactic of the Barisan leaders to use her and deputy president cum Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan to split SAPP and isolate Yong Teck Lee,” he added.

Yong noted that there were doubts among party members over why the Barisan had given a “generously long period of 30 days” for SAPP to reply to the show-cause letter.

He said that it later dawned on SAPP that the 30-day period was actually intended to give time to BN efforts “to split SAPP and isolate Yong Teck Lee.”

“This is why the move by PBS and LDP for an immediate expulsion of SAPP from Barisan was not carried out,” he said.

He claimed that Barisan tacticians wanted SAPP to be split and lose the support of the people before action was taken against SAPP.

BN did not want to repeat their mistake of 1984 when they expelled (now defunct) Usno, which had opposed the federalisation of Labuan.

In state elections the following year, Barisan’s Parti Berjaya was almost completely wiped out by PBS and Usno, he added.

In referring to Parti Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok’s recent observation that Sabahans are a laidback people and unsuspecting, Yong said in the rough world of federal politics, many earlier Sabahan leaders had been “eaten alive” and came home defeated and disgraced.

He said this was evident in the books like Politics of Federalism (on Syed Kechik in East Malaysia, 1976) to the banned book Golden Son of the Kadazan (on the late Datuk Peter Mojuntin, 1976) and Harris of Sabah (1986), The Making of a Malaysian (on Datuk J. Pairin Kitingan, 1991) and countless recollections.

“We Malaysians in Sabah have endured a collective history of betrayals, disappointments and failures,” Yong said, adding that Dr Chua would come out of this episode a stronger leader.

She would be able to tell the hard truths to federal leaders, however friendly they might seem on a personal basis, he said.

“As for leaders like Tan, however good their intentions maybe, leaders can be easily awed by the immensity of federal political power. The fear of the stick and the lure of carrots are enough to overwhelm many people,” he added.

Formidable hurdles for Yong

Written by St Low
Thursday, 10 July 2008
(The Star) - As the Sabah Progressive Party backs down, the credibility of its president is suddenly put to the test.

THE Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)’s brave stand, made a little prematurely, seems to have backfired. Its threat of supporting a no-confidence motion in the Prime Minister and its pullback position early this week was, at the very least, a face-saving exercise.

Clearly, SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee had moved a bit too soon and could not swing the rest of his anticipated fellow dissidents to cross over.

Yong: He had moved a bit too soon
As a Sarawak MP noted: “They had jumped ship too early, the captain was not even in place. Luckily, they had not burnt their bridges behind them.”

The SAPP has until the end of this month to reply to the Barisan Nasional’s show-cause letter. The Barisan can still exercise its option to sack the party but to date has shown no signs of actually wanting to do so and make a martyr of Yong.

Placing the motion on the backburner also indicated that Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim might not have the numbers after all, despite his bravado.

More importantly, it could have been a genuine case of the issue having grown “too hot to handle.”

As its Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui said: “We do not want to be made the scapegoat.”

Far removed from the political epicentre, the danger of the Sabah move being misinterpreted as being one where the Chinese were going against the Malays was real enough. Sabah politicians are among the least racial in Malaysia. But Kuala Lumpur is accustomed to racial politics and politicking.

Thus, when the Kota Belud MP warned of the spilling of blood if the SAPP went through with its plan, the SAPP members took it seriously. They decided to take a step back.

Many in Sabah and Sarawak could not unravel what was happening in the peninsula last week.

At the height of the political machinations – the allegation and counter-charge of sodomy, the two statutory declarations, the missing private investigator who was later found, the links to a murdered Mongolian woman – Kuala Lumpur residents had the good sense to laugh at their leaders’ theatrics.

But in distant Sabah and Sarawak, people were genuinely fearful of an emergency being imposed. A few even asked, via SMS, if a curfew was imminent.

It is obvious now that the real struggle is for the prime minister’s post. The rest of the drama were but side-shows.

Those who credit the SAPP declaration as being the first move to weaken the Barisan government also see Anwar’s hand behind the party.

Dr Chua hotly denied it.

“Anwar had nothing to do with our move,” she said. “We are not doing this for anybody.”

She may be right. It is important to differentiate here between Yong, the leader, and SAPP, the organisation.

It was Yong who, by his own admission, had met Anwar twice – once in Hong Kong and once in Kuala Lumpur. It was Yong whom Anwar was trying to entice.

Yong had long decided to go it alone without being weighed down by the Barisan baggage. So if the Barisan recovers its hand, Yong’s political future is dust.

But the SAPP itself seems to be led by two voices – a majority voice led by Yong himself who keeps his party members on a tight leash, and the minority voice of party deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan who had initially urged caution and is now urging party members to “move on.”

If the party tires of Yong’s personal ambitions – as opposed to the eight-point demands he put forward for the state – it might end up in a split.

The SAPP itself might well survive this turbulence, particularly if it jettisons Yong. In that scenario too, Yong’s credibility would plunge.

Foreseeing a Barisan move “to split SAPP and isolate him,” Yong warned Dr Chua to be “extremely careful when dealing with some KL leaders.”

Yong has long wanted to be seen as the jaguh (hero) of Sabah’s Chinese community who, like the Chinese in Sarawak, form the decisive swing vote in state elections.

In previous years, his Chinese rivals within the state stymied his efforts.

Today, his hurdles are more formidable – the Federal Government itself looms tall in his path.