SAPP vs Barisan Nasional

KOTA KINABALU: SAPP deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan said he was confused and embarrassed about the party's move to move a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister.

He said that the party's supreme council had not been consulted on the matter, accusing SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee of acting arbitrarily.

Saying he would attend the party supreme council meeting scheduled tomorrow, he however questioned the party's rationale of having made the decision first.

''It is not proper for us to do it when (Datuk Seri) Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) is the Barisan chairman. It is disrespectful to the Prime Minister,'' said Tan, who is Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Minister.

On the meeting, Tan said:''If it (the no-confidence motion) was already pre-planned and decided, what are we going to discuss? The damage is done.

He said the move was embarrasing as the SAPP won its seats on a Barisan ticket.

Tan said he was not making any stand on the issue at the moment before attending the meeting.

He said SAPP had been very vocal and even blunt on Sabah issues and the Federal Government had been responding to various requests.

Tan had on Monday denied speculation that the SAPP would be pulling out of the Barisan.

Hong Kong deal: SAPP and Anwar
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party’s move for a no-confidence motion on the Prime Minister was a deal that was hatched in Hong Kong and wrapped up in Kuala Lumpur with PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee admitted he had met with Anwar on two occasions in the Chinese territory and the federal capital to discuss "the political dynamics affecting the nation and Sabah".

Many quarters have interpreted this to mean the "crossing over of Barisan Nasional MPs" to the opposition as promised by Anwar.

However, the proposed motion has not received widespread support and Yong agreed that the next 48 hours were crucial. At the moment at least two other Sabah Barisan parties - UPKO and PBS - have remained deafeningly silent.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Yong's latest action was due to the fact that "I have not been able to satisfy his personal greed."

Abdullah did not elaborate. However, his aides said that the prime minister would elaborate at a later date.

We have made a stand, says Yong
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party is waiting to see if its push for a no-confidence motion against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister will get the political ball rolling.

The unprecedented move by the Barisan Nasional partner to back such a motion was announced yesterday by SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee, who admits that the next 48 hours will be crucial for the party.

In his usual affable self, the 50-year-old former chief minister gave quick and witty responses to questions of how throwing a political card of no-confidence could spark off a groundswell within Barisan in the peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah.

“As far as the issues facing the people and as a far as our stand is concerned we are not alone. There are many others ... When they will make a move and declare a stand, that we will see,” he told a packed 90-minute press conference.

“We have made a stand and we bear the consequences,” said Yong, who revealed that he had met Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on two occasions in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur as well as other Umno and Barisan leaders.

The announcement, which saw immediate mixed reactions from stunned Sabah Barisan colleagues and the opposition, was made at 2pm at the party’s headquarters in Luyang, here, after months of speculation on who will make the first move since the March 8 polls.

“Our MPs will support a vote of no-confidence on the Prime Minister. Whether the motion will be tabled by our party MP or another party’s MP will be decided in due course,” he said on the 101st day of the Barisan government holding 140 of the 222 parliament seats.

Making his stand clear that SAPP still remained in Barisan, Yong said Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun or Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui could propose the motion.

The signed statements of Majimbun, the SAPP deputy president who is overseas on an official trip but will be back for Parliament sitting on Monday, and party vice-president Chua were issued to the media surrounded by party members.

Chua, by Yong’s side with the party supreme council standing behind them, said people had lost confidence in the leadership of Abdullah, and even Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and other Umno leaders had asked him to step down.

SAPP’s four assembly representatives - Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan, assistant finance minister Melanie Chai, Au Kam Wah (Elopura) and Datuk Liew Teck Chan (Likas) - and Deputy Speaker Datuk Frankie Chong were not present at the conference but Yong said that they would be at Friday's supreme council meeting.

Yong, who was confident that all the supreme council members would attend the supreme council meeting, said some people expected SAPP to be sacked from Barisan.

In any case after the March 8 election, he said several Sabah Umno MPs, including the chief minister’s brother Datuk Anifah Aman of Kimanis, Kalabakan's Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh and Papar's Rosnah Mohd Shirlin, had stated that Barisan was not giving due recognition to Sabah.

“Barisan is no more in Sabah; only in form, not in spirit,” he laughed when pressed as to why SAPP was still remaining in the coalition. “Pullout is not something we have not said, we have to study the political implications.”

Stressing that he had nothing personal against Abdullah, Yong said if the vote of no-confidence fails, then SAPP would look for ways to achieve its objectives.

As to whether joining Pakatan Rakyat was an option, Yong said SAPP would work with whoever shared the party’s vision in solving Sabah issues like oil royalty, the return of Labuan, illegal immigrants and political autonomy.

Anwar is scheduled to be in Sabah on Saturday and the anticipation is that the former deputy prime minister may make an announcement on his claim to have enough MPs to topple the Barisan government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The illegal immigrant problem will reach boiling point.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The illegal immigrant problem will reach boiling point.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teck Lee: BN is no more in Sabah
AFTER reading out a two-page statement on why SAPP was making its stand now on a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee fielded questions at a prolonged press conference. The following are excerpts of the Q & A:

Q: Is SAPP alone in its move to table a vote of no-confidence?

Many people including MPs and Barisan component party leaders have expressed similar lost of confidence in the Prime Minister and some quite firmly are calling for a change in Government. But as we all know, there is some distance between having a will and making a stand. Whether we are alone, as far as the issues facing the people and as far as our stand (is concerned), we are not alone. There are many others. Whether they will make the move and declare a stand, that we will see.

Q: Is SAPP still a member of Barisan?
Barisan is no more in Sabah. There is no spirit. Nevertheless, our status of membership in Barisan will be addressed at a supreme council meeting on June 20. In any case, after the elections Sabah MPs Datuk Anifah Aman (Kimanis) Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh (Kalabakan), Datuk Eric Majibun (Sepanggar), Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) and Rosnah Shirlin (Papar) have said that the Barisan had not given due recognition to Sabah. Over the last few months the spirit is no more there. It is only in form. As of today, we are still in.

Q: Do you expect to be sacked from the coalition?
Some people think so. We will make a stand (at the Friday meeting) and bear the consequences.

Q: Do you think SAPP will get support for a vote of no-confidence?
Our MPs will support or move the vote of no-confidence, then if the vote does not carry, he (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) will be Prime Minister, then we will have to look at ways and means to continue our objectives.

Q: What will be the position of SAPP ministers in the Sabah government?
We have a deputy chief minister, an assistant minister and several others like the deputy speaker, board chairman, councillors etc. We believe that all the things we have mentioned are for Sabah...and their service is the prerogative of the state government.

Q: Have you talked to other leaders?
All the signs were there. In my discussions with them, I have impressed on Barisan component leaders and Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman. I have mentioned to them this window of opportunity has come after about 45 years and will not be forever.

Q: How is your relationship with the Prime Minister?
There is nothing personal. I last met (him) in Kuala Lumpur on May 13, it was very cordial. I made it quite clear to him, and just to make sure I wasn’t misunderstood, I said that though there would be no crossovers on May 14 as speculated, we cannot rule out something like that happening in the future. I conveyed this message three times.

Q: Why is SAPP taking this action now?
We want the issues solved but we get the impression the urgency is just not there.

Q: Did you meet the Prime Minister when he visited Sabah on Tuesday?
I understand some people were trying to see whether I could meet the PM. I did not see anything much coming out of it.

Q: Why didn't you make a decision to pull out?
The vote of no-confidence is a parliamentary process while to remain or not (in Barisan) is a political process. We also want to see the national point of view between now and Friday. Our stand today is not just that of our two MPs. It is a party stand.

Q: What sweetener could be offered to SAPP to change its mind?
I worry about delaying tactics until this window of opportunity closes. As far as counter offers are concerned, I remain suspicious of any delaying tactics. We have raised these issues in Parliament and there has been no effective response.

Q: Have you met PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?
I’ve met him in KL and Hong Kong. I have met other leaders in and outside Barisan, to see what is happening in the country and what are the political dynamics affecting the nation and Sabah.

Q: How do you think the SAPP supreme council will decide on Friday?
I respect my supreme council and cannot speak on their behalf. Each of them will have their own views. We have to study the political dynamics of the situation.

Q: Do you expect others in Sarawak and the peninsula to follow suit?
I expect some of them to agree to what we have done or what we have said. Whether they will make a stand we have to see over the next few days and weeks.

Q: Are you joining Pakatan Rakyat?
We want to recover our autonomy as a party in Sabah. Actions so far by the leadership imply that there is no urgency in resolving Sabah issues. The return of Labuan, petroleum, imbalance in Federal laws, the RM200mil rice subsidy borne by Sabahans. We do not want to be subservient any more. Our aspiration is autonomy. We need to have an understanding with the Federal Government of the day.

Q: What if Barisan has another Prime Minister next week?
If there was a realistic chance of a change within Barisan, it would not go to Parliament. Tengku Razaleigh will tell you that.

Better for Yong to leave Barisan, says LDP
PETALING JAYA: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee should leave Barisan Nasional if he is unhappy, said Liberal Democractic Party president Datuk V.K. Liew.

“Maybe, it is better for him to leave. This move is as good as calling on the Prime Minister to step down. It is unbecoming. He (Yong) should leave,” he said yesterday.

Liew, who is also Sandakan MP, said he found it “absolutely deplorable” for SAPP to make such an absurd and unprecedented move.

“Yong’s move is personal and he does not have the interests of the state and the people in mind,” he said.

“He is doing it for his own agenda. This arm-twisting tactic by Yong is politically unacceptable and should be discouraged,” he said.

He also said it was a calculated move meant to destabilise the Barisan government and to oust Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was voted in legitimately as Prime Minister by the people.

When asked if the Barisan should expel SAPP, he said it was up to the coalition’s leadership to decide.

He said the LDP remained loyal to Barisan and would continue to fully support Abdullah.

What Sabah BN leaders say
CHIEF Minister Datuk Musa Aman: I deeply regret the party’s action. I do not know what is their actual motive. As a Barisan component, such a move is uncalled for and unprecedented based on the spirit of camaraderie practised by Barisan all this while.

Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh (Kalabakan MP): As a member of Umno and Barisan, I’m sticking with Barisan. We may sound like the opposition but we are just voicing the sentiments of the people. Logically you can’t move a no-confidence motion against the leader of your own party. I think they want to be sacked.

United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation secretary general Datuk Wilfred Tangau: It is their right to take such an action. I can’t speak for the party, but we will be discussing whether to support such a move.”

Backbenchers Club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (Kinabatangan MP): We know they are frustrated but this is not the way for a Barisan component to act. It goes against the Barisan spirit.

Karamunting MP Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah of PBS: I don’t want to comment because I’m not in the know of what they have been up to.

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (Pensiangan MP): This is an unacceptable act. Why do they need to exert pressure on Pak Lah who has already made known the transition of the nation’s leadership.

Sabah PKR chief Ansari Abdullah: I’d like to say congratulations to them for making such a bold decision. This shows that the Barisan leadership has failed to act seriously on the plight faced by the people of Sabah.

Kota Kinabalu DAP chief Dr Hiew King Chew (Kota Kinabalu MP): I understand the SAPP leaders’ frustrations. What they have been asking for in terms of resolving problems faced by Sabahans have been largely ignored.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan: What SAPP has done reflects a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the government. The government must learn to prioritise the problems faced by Sabah. SAPP should be commended and supported for making such a bold move.

Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, UPKO president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok could not be contacted for comments.

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

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

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

“Our sovereignty is threatened,” she added.

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

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

Majimbun said in a separate statement that he did not have confidence in Abdullah’s leadership in view of the clash in the dates of the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament in March and the sudden and shocking rise in fuel prices.

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.


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.

Vote won’t be on Monday
KUALA LUMPUR: The no-confidence vote against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi cannot be tabled on Monday because it has to be done in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

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

“So far, no such notice has been given,” he said yesterday.

Alternatively, Nazri said, the vote could be tabled through an emergency motion under Standing Orders Rule 18(1). In such a case, he said, it requires only a day’s notice.

“It would be up to the Speaker to decide whether to allow it or not. If it does not fulfil one of the three criteria, the Speaker can reject it. It is entirely up to him. The Speaker wields a lot of power,” he said.

“In any case, either under Standing Orders 27 or 18(1), the vote of no-confidence cannot happen on Monday,” he said.

After a three-week break, Parliament sits again for two weeks from Monday. This is the second meeting of the 12th Parliament.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and chairman Karpal Singh said it was impossible for a no-confidence motion to be tabled, as the Parliamentary Standing Orders do not have special provision for it.

“A no-confidence motion may be regarded as an ordinary motion under Standing Order 27, which requires 14 days' notice.

“The only way for a no-confidence motion to be tabled and debated on Monday is for the Speaker to treat it as a substantive and extraordinary motion.

“This does not need to comply with the requisite 14-day notice,” Lim said.

“But the Speaker is likely to be at loggerheads with the government and must be prepared to pay the consequences,” he added.

“The Speaker can still allow a vote to be called at his discretion, but will the SAPP have the numbers to get the motion passed?” Karpal Singh said.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said he was not aware of the motion.

“I will see what they will be filing and decide later,” he said.

It’s their right to dissent, says Nazri
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to take action against SAPP for saying it has lost confidence in Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership and that it will support a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

He said Barisan Nasional was in the era of openness, being transparent and liberal.

“We can accommodate dissenting voices. We won’t kick them out of Barisan.

“It’s their right to express their views. Takkan kita nak marah dengan dia kalau itu pendapat dia (Surely we can’t get angry with them if that is their view).

“We are not in the era of ‘jacking’ anybody or tying them up to stop them from giving statements.

“So, I think we should just let it be and take it in our stride,” said Nazri, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Nazri stressed that there was a difference between dissenting views and leaving Barisan, saying, “We take note of their views.”

Nazri believed SAPP’s stance stemmed from the “personal disaffection” of its president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

“He was hoping to be made a senator or minister so he’s venting his personal frustration by using the party. He is a frustrated man,” he added.


MCA pledges support
PETALING JAYA: The MCA will stand firmly behind the Prime Minister and the Barisan Nasional coalition, said party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

“The Malaysian economy is suffering from escalating inflationary pressures and rising food and fuel prices.

“The country and its people are going through very challenging times and what it needs now is political and economic stability,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Ong said it would be best for both Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat to accept the 12th General Election results.

“Our priority should be to continue to work hard to fulfil our election pledges, restore confidence and stability in the nation,” he said.

Alor Gajah MP Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said he would not support the vote of no confidence.

Deputy Education Minister and Ayer Hitam MP Dr Wee Ka Siong said all MCA MPs would follow the party line and back Abdullah.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said he would oppose the unilateral decision by SAPP.

“It is ridiculous for the party to make such an announcement,” said the Alor Star MP.

Deputy Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Teng Boon Soon said the party would support the Prime Minister as it was the earliest war mate with other component parties like MIC and Umno.

“Our ties are still very strong and we will definitely support the Prime Minister,” the Tebrau MP said.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng and Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung made it clear they would not support the motion.

This sentiment was echoed by Kampar MP Datuk Lee Chee Leong and Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng.

Labis MP Chua Tee Yong said SAPP’s move would be a blow to the country’s economy and foreign direct investment.

“I hope SAPP will reconsider their decision seriously before tabling for such a motion.

“The Government should also take steps to look into the pressing issues faced by Sabahans and resolve the differences within the Barisan,” he said, adding that he will continue to support the Prime Minister in this difficult time.

PKR: Follow SAPP’s move
KUALA LUMPUR: Now that SAPP has made its intentions known, PKR’s next course of action would be getting more parties to support the vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister.

“Two down, another 28 to go,” said PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.

(Pakatan Rakyat, with 82 MPs against Barisan’s 140, needs 30 MPs to cross over to topple the Barisan Nasional government.)

He said the whole Cabinet should resign as Members of Parliament had lost confidence in the Prime Minister and the Government.

“They have failed to provide a credible and strong leadership, especially when they decided to raise the fuel price. They are incompetent to manage the economy,” he said.

Azmin said PKR had a series of meetings with SAPP over the past few weeks.

“Now that SAPP has taken this initiative, we will sit down immediately to decide on the next course of action and to look at the content of the motion of no-confidence and how to get consensus for it.

“We want to get the full support of all the (Pakatan Rakyat) parties concerned and hopefully we can garner the support of other (Barisan) MPs,” he said.

Azmin hoped that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker would look at the motion of no-confidence seriously and make an independent judgment.

PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed SAPP’s bold move and its two MPs for standing up for the rights of the Sabahans.

“I have had two discussions with Yong. The core issues at hand are those of good governance and dedication to the principles of accountability,” he said in a statement.

He reiterated that he would give 20% of oil royalty to Sabah, Sarawak, and Terengganu and fair representation if Pakatan Rakyat (which comprises PKR, DAP and PAS) came to power.

Pakatan leaders to discuss plan
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS will discuss with PKR and DAP how to respond to SAPP MPs’ plan to table a motion of a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister in Parliament on Monday.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said PAS viewed SAPP’s plan a major solution to end the dilemma that the Barisan Nasional government had been going through for months where there was a lack of confidence in the leadership, including within Umno itself.

“We view this major development seriously.

”The motion can be tabled because the matter is of public interest, specific and urgent. It is definitely specific. It is of public interest because the post of the prime minister is a matter of public interest and it is urgent because there is a lot of uncertainty now.

“But ultimately, the Speaker has to make his assessment,” he added.

In Kota Baru, PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat invited all Barisan component parties to leave Umno and form a new coalition with opposition parties under the “Pakatan Rakyat” alliance.

He claimed that Umno, the backbone of Barisan, had failed the country, specifically the Malays, and it could therefore not be expected to satisfy the aspirations of political parties in Sabah and Sarawak.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said it would be “very unusual” for SAPP MPs to remove Abdullah by tabling a no-confidence motion against him.

“Under the Barisan coalition, the largest party will nominate their candidate as Prime Minister. And in this case, it is Umno who nominates and they will nominate the Umno president.

“So how will they influence this decision with a motion of no-confidence? A more effective measure would be for them to leave Barisan entirely.

“Why have they not left Barisan? That is the question most people would want to know,'' said Lim, who is DAP secretary-general.

‘Remove party from coalition’
PETALING JAYA: Leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties have criticised SAPP for its move to table a no-confidence motion in Parliament and pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam wants SAPP to be removed from the Barisan Nasional coalition.

He described SAPP’s action as “undisciplined, undemocratic and irresponsible” and said it showed the impatience of its leader in wanting a Cabinet post.

“SAPP ought to be removed from Barisan Nasional,” he said via SMS from the United States where he is attending a biotechnology convention.

He said all Barisan MPs must reject SAPP’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament on Monday.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib criticised SAPP’s move, saying it was overstepping the boundaries.

He said issues involving the Barisan should be discussed internally.

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee had not given Abdullah enough time, with Yong giving August as the deadline for the federal government to address the grievances of Sabahans.

“It is now only mid-June,” he said in a statement, adding that such issues should be deliberated more thoroughly within the Barisan supreme council and through other existing channels of communications.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the party would remain loyal to the Barisan and Abdullah.

“This is the first time we have a Barisan component party not supporting the Prime Minister. As for the three MIC MPs concerned, I have instructed them to continue to support Abdullah. We will not let him down as he was elected by the people,” he added.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu secretary-general Dr Stephen Rundi said the party would continue to stay behind the Prime Minister.

“During his visit to Sarawak on June 10, we pledged our full support to him and this is not going to change,” he said, adding that the party’s MPs would not support a no-confidence vote.

Sarawak United People’s Party president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said this was not an appropriate moment to “play politics” as the country was going through difficult times and needed to stabilise.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Datuk Dr James Masing and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party deputy president Datuk Peter Nyarok also said their MPs would not support the vote.