MP Asks Why Philippines Has Not Dropped Claim To Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR, A Member of Parliament from Sabah Tuesday questioned as to why the Federal Government was being overly diplomatic to the Philippines when the republic still did not want to drop its claim to the state.

Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said the Philippines also still did not show they valued Malaysia's cooperation in trying to help resolve their conflict in Mindanao.

"Why are we being too nice to them when they have not even opened up a consulate in Sabah or dropped their claim to ownership of the state," said the Backbenchers Club deputy chairman when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill (2007) 2008 in the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday.

Monday, another MP from Sabah, Datuk Wilfred Bumburing (BN-Tuaran) had urged the government to act fast on the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah following statements by Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari that the dispute over Sabah be referred to the International Court of Justice.

On another matter, Bung Moktar also wanted the governmnet to investigate why Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras KL (RapidKL) did not use 1,000 buses valued at RM500 million used by Intrakota and Parkmay Sdn Bhd to improve public transportation in Kuala Lumpur when they were already available for use.

"Instead, they (RapidKL) go and buy new Mercedes Benz buses. Imagine, what can be done for my rural constituency with that kind of money," he added.

He also wanted the Finance Ministry to explain why Maybank was buying a stake in Bank International Indonesia (BII) for RM4 billion when it was said the bank was facing financial difficulties.

BERNAMA