Chong also described Tan as 'ungrateful,' and his statement 'mischievous and malicious' (malaysiakini)

Sapp No 2 unwilling to let go of cabinet position

After a consensus decision to pull out from the ruling Barisan Nasional, Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) is now facing problems with deputy president Raymond Tan, who is said to be reluctant to give up his deputy chief minister cum infrastructure development portfolios.

At least two other party leaders, state assemblyperson for Elopura Aw Kam Wah and Jimmy Wong, political secretary to Chief Minister Musa Aman, are also required to resign their government posts following the party's decision to pull out from the BN.

Only state assemblyperson for Luyang, Melanie Chia, had little hesitation. She said she would be resigning as state assistant minister.

Another party leader Frankie Chong, the deputy state assembly speaker, is not required to resign from his post as he was appointed by the head of state.

In a statement released today, Sapp's new information chief Chong Pit Fah - who described Tan as 'rebellious' - called on the deputy president to tell the truth behind his decision to stay in the BN, instead of just claiming he was ditched by party president Yong Teck Lee.

Chong also described Tan as 'ungrateful,' and his statement 'mischievous and malicious'.

"Raymond Tan is a senior state cabinet minister and a deputy chief minister. Why would SAPP ditch him? He shouldn抰 make this as an excuse for him to continue to remain in the Barisan Nasional," said the party information chief, adding that he believed any right-thinking Sabahan could tell what was the true rationale for him to want to stay in the BN.

He said all these years Tan had been the most favored and protected by the party president, citing as an example that it was Yong who insisted on Tan holding both the party deputy presidency as well as deputy chief minister post.

Chong rejected Tan's claim that he was being isolated in the party, adding that Tan should have been removed as Sandakan division chief long ago. Since Tan was appointed Sandakan chief five years ago, he has yet to conduct any meetings for the division.

Chong also took a swipe at Tan for complaining to the media that at the party's recent supreme council meeting he found that his seat was removed just because he was late for 15 minutes.

"If he could get agitated over such a petty thing, then he must not say that there抯 no reason for Sapp to leave BN just because the party was not invited to the BN meeting for six consecutive times. He should have understood how the party felt about it," the party information chief added.

Chong said due to overwhelming turn-out on that day, the seats of all those who were late or absent were immediately occupied by those who came early. He added that as soon as Tan turned up - more than half an hour late - he was immediately given a seat.
malaysiakini

SAPP's mini reshuffle
Kota Kinabalu (19th September, 2008): Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) at its Supreme Council meeting held on 30th August, 2008 and 17th September, 2008 have decided on a few new appointments and changes to be made to the various Zone chairmen and CLC chairmen in order to consolidate the party in preparation for political changes in time to come.
Effective from 30th August, 2008:

1. Deputy president, YB Datuk Liew Teck Chan as KK/Penampang/Labuan Zone chairman from Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee, to allow the SAPP president more time to concentrate on the overall issues and matters of the party.
2. For South Zone (Papar, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang), Encik Norbert Chin Chuan Siong was replaced by Datuk Rashid Haji Gador as chairman.
3. Sandakan Zone (Sandakan, Libaran, Kinabatangan): Datuk Richard Yong We Kong replacing Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah as chairman.
4. New Tanjong Kapor N.2 CLC (Constituency Liaison Committee) chairman, Datuk Wong Yit Ming replacing YB Datuk Liew Teck Chan.
5. Encik Juli Insing as acting chairman of Kawang N.21 CLC replacing Encik Norbert Chin
6. Encik Edward Dagul replacing Encik Norbert Chin as Pantai Manis N.22 CLC chairman.
7. Encik Poon Kee Yang replacing YB Datuk Raymond Tan as Tanjung Papat N.46 CLC chairman.
8. Encik Kassim Sulaiman replacing Encik Joseph Lo We Fo as Senallang N.53 CLC chairman.

Effective from 17th September, 2008:
1. Encik Edward Dagul was appointed Youth Chief of SAPP replacing YB Encik Au Kam Wah.
2. Encik Chong Pit Fah, appointed SAPP Information Chief
3. Encik Kassim Sulaiman, appointed Organising Secretary.
4. Encik Poon Kee Yang will be acting chairman of the Elopura N.45 CLC replacing YB Encik Au Kam Wah.

Issued by Encik Foo Fook Ming,
SAPP Assistant Secretary-General