United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko), a member of the Barisan Nasional (BN) ruling coalition, supports Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's proposal to declare Sept 16 a public holiday to commemorate Malaysia's formation.
Its president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the matter had been raised in the Cabinet, but no decision was made then."Perhaps, it's time for the federal government to revisit this matter," he told reporters after attending a meeting with staff of federal government departments and statutory bodies in the Federal Administrative Complex, Likas, near here today.
He said this in response to a suggestion by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar for the five Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-led states - Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Penang - to declare Sept 16 a public holiday.
Asked about Upko's stand pertaining to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)'s position in BN following the latter's decision to suport any motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Dompok said there was no need to submit a motion to sack SAPP from BN.
"If we are to look at it carefully, the motion of no confidence (against the prime minister) is not only a problem for SAPP but also other leaders.
"In fact, even in Umno there are leaders who openly give such a message ...so, we feel there's no need to make this as an excuse to discipline SAPP," he added.
On the meeting between SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and Anwar, which had created anxiety among the BN leaders, Dompok said Upko did not see it as something which would warrant disciplinary action.
"We see that after the March 8 general election, Umno has held discussions with PAS to form a coalition government in Selangor, and perhaps, also in Perak.
"So, if this is seen as a discussion which is good for the country, then I don't see why other BN component members should be stopped from having discussions or meetings with the opposition parties for the same reason, including between Yong and Anwar," he added.
In KOTA BARU, Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat says the state governmment is in favour of the proposal to declare Sept 16, the date of Malaysia's formation, as a public holiday.
He said the suggestion should be accepted and implemented by all the PR states - Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Penang.
"I can accept (and) if the other four states can also accept, it will be better," he told reporters after launching the state-level Integrity Day here today.
Yesterday, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would consider the matter.
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