KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional’s rebellious Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) publicly indicated its stand to back the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yesterday.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee made a clear indication of the party’s stand ahead of its supreme council meeting today.
Yong was one of a panel of four speakers at the Sabah DAP’s forum on “Malaysia: Towards A New Era” here, held at the Kian Kok Middle School from 12.30pm to 5pm.
The other three speakers were DAP vice president Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, Lim and Dr Jeffrey.
“My presence here is to give a talk,” said Yong who was at the forum with SAPP’s deputy president Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun, the MP for Sepangar, its Wanita Chief Melanie Chia, who is also Assistant Finance Minister and Deputy State Speaker Datuk Frankie Chong.
When asked after the forum if his presence was a sign that he was throwing his lot with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Yong replied: “We (supreme council) are meeting tomorrow.”
Although the BN government remains intact despite Anwar’s claim to take over the government on Malaysia Day, rumours to that effect abound at the forum.
Yong conceded that it was not easy to topple the BN government which had been in power for 51 years and especially when the coalition front had a strong will to cling on to power despite beset with internal and external problems.
“It is not so straight forward and do not underestimate the resources of the BN,” said Yong whose party will decide on its position in BN today.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Lim described Yong and the presence of the other SAPP leaders at the forum as part of a “Pakatan Rakyat Plus” coalition.
He said the September 16 date was an important message that there was general consensus among the people to see change .
“It does not matter if it does not occur on September 16 or tomorrow or October 16 or November 16 or December 16. What is important here is that the people have come to a consensus that there is a need for a fundamental political change and that is the start of the transition. The paradigm shift has happened and this change can take place anytime,” he asserted.
On Abdullah’s refusal to meet Anwar over a proposed peaceful transition of power, Lim said that the Prime Minister should do the honourable thing and accept that he had lost the majority of members in Parliament and allow for a graceful and peaceful transition as part of a democratic process.
“Abdullah can then leave in an honourable manner,” he said adding that the Prime Minister should not be using draconian laws like Internal Security Act (ISA) to stifle the democratic process of change.
However, Lim declined to comment if DAP had any BN MPs crossing over to their party.
Asked if he believed Anwar’s claims of having 31 BN MPs joining him, he replied: “That you better ask Anwar.”
New Sabah Times
17/09/08
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