Absurd for Yong to propose peninsula-based parties sit out Sabah polls, says Bung

KOTA KINABALU: It is absurd for Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee to propose that peninsula-based parties should sit out the next state polls, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin

“Malaysia is a democratic country and allows for all registered parties to contest in any state,” said the Sabah Umno chairman in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 15).

The Kinabatangan MP said that Yong should do some soul-searching as SAPP was directionless as it was sitting in two coalitions, namely Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Perikatan Nasional.

“In Sabah, Yong supports GRS under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, which is with the federal unity government. At the federal level, he sits with Perikatan which is against the Federal Government,” Bung Moktar said.

Yong, who is also the GRS deputy chairman, was reported to have said that peninsula-based parties should refrain from contesting in the state election.

Speaking after a SAPP function on Sunday (Aug 13), the nominated assemblyman said as it was a state election, only local parties should contest the 73 state seats.

He said he would propose to the GRS leadership that friendly parties including Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan stay out of the race, adding this was to avoid any overlapping candidates.

Bung Moktar said that SAPP was sitting on the fence and trying to enjoy both worlds by being in the government in the state while also wanting to show that it is with the opposition at the national level.

“I want to ask what their real stand is? I must remind Yong and SAPP that Perikatan are national based-parties led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and PAS,” said Bung Moktar.

“Are you telling Bersatu to leave Sabah? How about Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee and PAS nominated assemblyman Dr Aliakbar Gulasan in Sabah,” he added.

Bung Moktar said Yong’s statement is ridiculous, adding that it is time for the latter to realise that national parties have played a major role in Sabah.

He added that local parties like Usno, Parti Berjaya and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) have fizzled out of Sabah politics and a similar future holds for many local-based parties in the future.

Bung Moktar said that SAPP has not won a single seat in any of the elections it contested after leaving Barisan in 2008.

“I believe Yong is fully aware that he has lost his deposits over and over again in the last 20 years. Is it not a message to SAPP, they have lost their seats to national parties like DAP in Chinese-majority areas?” said Bung Moktar.

“Sabah people have supported Barisan led by Sabah Umno and other local parties over and over again since PBS left Barisan in 1990,” he added.

He said Yong was part of PBS when it left Barisan midway through the 1990 general election that brought Umno to Sabah.

He added that Yong later left PBS to form SAPP and join hands with Umno under Barisan.

“So what is Yong talking about when he speaks of rejecting national parties?” he said.

Bung Moktar reminded Yong that SAPP and himself have been rejected by the people many times in the last 20 years and his return to the GRS government was by his appointment as a nominated assemblyman.

“It is a backdoor entry to the state government by being nominated as an assemblyman. Yong should prove that he has the support of the people first before making such statements,” Bung Moktar said.