Sabah DAP urges GRS to explain on Yong Teck Lee statement

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah DAP youth leader has urged Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to state if it agrees with the stand by one of its senior leaders, who wanted only local-based parties to contest in the next state election.

State DAP Youth secretary Chan Long Wei said he wondered if the remarks made by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee (pic) reflected the sentiments of GRS.

“If this is not the case, then GRS must clarify their position,” he said, in a statement here on Monday (Aug 14).

“Is it a genuine intention of GRS or merely a self-serving manoeuvre by SAPP?

“If they (GRS) disagree, disciplinary action must be taken against Yong for disrupting the harmony of the unity government,” he added.

Chan pointed out that Sabah Pakatan Harapan played a crucial role in stabilising the local political landscape during the Sabah political crisis in January.

“If GRS does not appreciate the assistance provided during the recent political turmoil, it is not something to lament.

“Pakatan has assisted GRS in maintaining political stability during the crisis, adhering to the principle of opposing any backdoor government from taking over.

“If this assistance is not appreciated, then the cooperation can cease, as respect should go both ways,” he added.

In the Sabah political crisis in January, Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was able to keep the GRS government intact with the help of seven Sabah Pakatan assemblymen as well as several Sabah Barisan Nasional/Umno renegade representatives.

The crisis triggered after Sabah Barisan severed ties with the GRS government.

Yong, who is also GRS deputy chairman, was reported to have said that peninsula-based parties should sit out from contesting in the state elections due in 2025.

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

“I will propose that GRS friendly parties including Pakatan, Barisan and Perikatan Nasional to stay out of the race.

“This is to avoid any overlapping of candidates contesting in the election,” he said, as quoted by the Borneo Post.

SAPP is one of the seven component parties of GRS which helms the state government that also include Sabah Pakatan parties.

It is also part of the Perikatan coalition at the federal level, with Yong being the coalition deputy chairman.

Chan contended that Yong’s statement also raised questions on whether GRS was prepared to turn against Pakatan and the unity government.

He said Yong has openly proclaimed his position within Perikatan despite being with GRS, which is part of the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Presently, as SAPP remains within Perikatan, the people of Sabah will judge for themselves and make their decision in the next election. As for Yong, time will unveil their true motives.

“For Pakatan, we are ready to defend our seats vigorously, stand with Anwar and the unity government to safeguard Malaysia’s diversity and protect Sabah’s harmonious ethnic and religious relations.

“In short, DAP and Sabah Pakatan are focused on rebuilding the economy in hand with the Federal Government for Sabah and Malaysia,” Chan said.