Sept 17, 08 5:10pm
The following is the press statement given by Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee at 4.30pm after the party’s supreme council meeting at the Sapp headquarters in Kota Kinabalu.
1. The BN has lost its ‘BN spirit’. It was not that the people who did not want the BN, it was the BN who abandoned the people. In spite of repeated appeals from some BN members to other BN leaders to be more sensitive to the peoples' feelings, these leaders continue to treat the people with contempt. Perhaps after 50 years of uninterrupted government, some BN leaders have got it in their heads that they have a divine right to rule.
On March 8, the people had spoken out loud and clear. The BN paid a heavy price. But yet the BN refuses to learn. The ruthless increase in fuel prices on June 4 and the failure to tackle inflation and economic slowdown have dealt a severe blow to ordinary people. The recent blatant abuse of the ISA against an innocent journalist, an MP and a blogger only confirms that the BN leadership has not learned from their mistakes.
The shameful Taiwan trip by 49 BN MPs and the instigation of racial animosities have aggravated the collapse of confidence among the people and leaders, not only on the PM but the BN as well.
The PM's Budget 2009 was totally uninspiring and has already been discredited even before it was debated in Parliament. The BN has lost its moral authority to rule. Numerical majority in Parliament means little if the people no longer respect you.
3. Minister Zaid Ibrahim's resignation only confirms what many lawyers already knew that is that the prime minister and his government has never had the intention to reform the judiciary. Zaid's exposure about "the BN government being paralysed by internal strife and divisions" has also been known to many people in the BN. In many other countries, such paralysis of government will lead to fresh general elections.
4. The PM himself appeared drifting, not knowing what has been happening around him. Sapp has nothing personal against the PM and his family. None of the matters raised by Sapp concerns his person, his family, son, daughter, son-in-law or businesses. Sapp is only concerned about the issues affecting the country such as the need for good governance, the dangers of racial polarisation and injustice of economic imbalances to be tackled effectively.
5. Sapp hereby proudly dissociates ourselves from these shameful wrongdoings of the BN government. Sapp further believes that the BN is not capable of practicing good governance and non-racial politics; that BN has no intention in granting autonomy to Sabah, returning 20 percent of oil royalties and Labuan to Sabah, implement Borneonisation, review unfair federal laws and departments in Sabah, solve the illegal immigrants problems and remove social and economic imbalances.
The BN leadership even refused to recognise historical facts by denying Sept 16 as Malaysia Day, 45 years.
6. Sapp had only wanted to see that the legitimate rights of Sabah and the unfairness suffered by Malaysians in Sabah be given due attention with results. The BN must realise that, if not for Sabah and Sarawak, BN would be in the opposition today. But instead of sincerely working to solve the issues raised by Sapp, the BN has chosen to embark on a course of action to destroy Sapp.
The Sapp supreme council hereby condemns the attempts of BN operatives to destroy Sapp through divide-and-rule tactics and by abusing the economic resources of the BN state and federal governments aimed at instigating Sapp members and leaders to destroy Sapp.
7. As a matter of fact, by deliberately excluding Sapp from four consecutive meetings of the Dewan Tertinggi and two meetings of the management committee ever since the announcement of no confidence on the prime minister on June 18, the BN has effectively terminated the membership of Sapp. The Sapp supreme council hereby declares that Sapp is no longer a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition of parties.
8. Sapp is now free from the BN. Sapp shall henceforth use this freedom to pursue our autonomous political path to fulfill our mission to establish a trustworthy government and a progressive, just and harmonious society. We are no longer subservient to BN. We now have the master key to our own house. We shall build a brighter future for our people and the younger generations to come.
9. Sapp members who hold political appointments in the executive branch of government shall relinquish their posts by giving the due notice under the constitution and relevant rules and regulations, starting at the cabinet level.
10. With our experienced MPs, Aduns and other party colleagues, Sapp shall provide quality opposition in and outside the Parliament and State Legislative Assembly until the time comes when Sapp is ready to be back in government.
11. I call on our members to be brave. Do not despair. Remember that one of our party culture seven values is resilience. From the day we join the party, we knew that things can get very rough for us. Yes, together we shall overcome this difficult period because the people are with us. With the strong encouragement and support of the people, Sapp will succeed in our struggle.
12. In view of the current fasting month of Ramadan, Sapp shall only embark on a series of political activities two weeks after Hari Raya. We shall plan a road map to victory in future elections. We shall elaborate how we plan to achieve the eight-points declaration, namely:
(i) Good governance and non-racial politics
(ii) Autonomy for Sabah
(iii) 20 percent oil royalties
(iv) Return of Labuan
(v) Review of unfair laws and detrimental departments
(vi) Borneonisation of the federal civil service
(vii) Solution to the illegal immigrants issue
(viii) Redress economic and social imbalances
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sapp pulls out of BN, stays independent - Malaysiakini
Sep 17, 08 4:51pm
The Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) has decided to pull out of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to become an independent party.
The party’s supreme council, which met this afternoon, has opted to be an opposition party but will not join Pakatan Rakyat for now.
"The Sapp supreme council has declared that the party is no longer a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition," party president Yong Teck Lee (centre in photo) at a packed press conference at 4.30pm after the council meeting.
"We will be independent at the moment and provide quality opposition in and outside the parliament, as well as the state assembly, until the time comes when Sapp is ready to be back in the government."
The party has two parliamentarians and four state assemblypersons.
The two MPs are Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau), while the state representatives are Tan (Tanjong Papat), assistant state finance minister Melanie Chia (Luyang), Au Kam Wah (Elopura) and Liew Teck Chan (Likas).
sapp mps and state assembly reps sabah 160608"The BN has lost its moral authority to rule. Numerical majority in Parliament means little if the people no longer respect you," he said.
"Sapp members who hold political appointments in the executive branch of government shall relinquish their posts by giving the due notice under the constitution and relevant rules and regulations, starting at the cabinet level."
An upset Sapp deputy president Raymond Tan, who walked out of the council meeting, said he would resign as Sabah deputy chief minister and state minister for infrastructure development.
According to Tan, he has yet to decide on whether he would quit the party, but said that Youth chief Au - who did not attend the meeting - has already resigned.
More news at: www.malaysiakini.com
The Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) has decided to pull out of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to become an independent party.
The party’s supreme council, which met this afternoon, has opted to be an opposition party but will not join Pakatan Rakyat for now.
"The Sapp supreme council has declared that the party is no longer a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition," party president Yong Teck Lee (centre in photo) at a packed press conference at 4.30pm after the council meeting."We will be independent at the moment and provide quality opposition in and outside the parliament, as well as the state assembly, until the time comes when Sapp is ready to be back in the government."
The party has two parliamentarians and four state assemblypersons.
The two MPs are Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau), while the state representatives are Tan (Tanjong Papat), assistant state finance minister Melanie Chia (Luyang), Au Kam Wah (Elopura) and Liew Teck Chan (Likas).
sapp mps and state assembly reps sabah 160608"The BN has lost its moral authority to rule. Numerical majority in Parliament means little if the people no longer respect you," he said.
"Sapp members who hold political appointments in the executive branch of government shall relinquish their posts by giving the due notice under the constitution and relevant rules and regulations, starting at the cabinet level."
An upset Sapp deputy president Raymond Tan, who walked out of the council meeting, said he would resign as Sabah deputy chief minister and state minister for infrastructure development.
According to Tan, he has yet to decide on whether he would quit the party, but said that Youth chief Au - who did not attend the meeting - has already resigned.
More news at: www.malaysiakini.com
Another round of ISA for Anwar? - Malaysiakini
Sept 17, 08 3:40pm
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has left political observers wondering if Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim could once again be detained under the Internal Security Act.
The premier issued a warning that appear to indicate the possibility of an ISA arrest for the maverick politician at press conference at Putrajaya this afternoon to announce a reshuffle of cabinet portfolios.
abdullah ahmad badawi najib razak pc change portfolio 170908 06'He has become a threat to the economy and possibly (national) security," he said.
This in itself provides sufficient grounds for the authorities to invoke the tough security law, which provides detention without trial against Anwar.
And when asked what action the government would take against him, Abdullah refused to reveal his cards, saying: "I will not indicate what plan I will take, what I do will be in the best interests of the people and the country."
"Because of Anwar's actions, there are fund managers who have reported that Malaysia is purportedly no longer a good place for investment because of the unstable political climate."
Abdullah said the opposition leader has lied a lot about the country's economic status, even claiming that there is no Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) coming in.
On the contrary, the premier said FDI is still flowing in and Malaysia is popular among investors.
"Anwar wants to destroy the country and exploit the people’s trust and tarnish the country’s image abroad."
Using the ISA against Anwar would undoubtedly have severe repercussions but such a move would not come as a surprise after three individuals, including an opposition politician, were nabbed under the draconian law last Friday.
James Chin, a political analyst from Monash University's campus in Kuala Lumpur, said Abdullah's comments were a clear warning that Anwar could face arrest under ISA.
"If they arrest Anwar under ISA, it will not be accepted by both Malaysians and the international community," he told AFP.
More news at: Malaysiakini
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has left political observers wondering if Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim could once again be detained under the Internal Security Act.The premier issued a warning that appear to indicate the possibility of an ISA arrest for the maverick politician at press conference at Putrajaya this afternoon to announce a reshuffle of cabinet portfolios.
abdullah ahmad badawi najib razak pc change portfolio 170908 06'He has become a threat to the economy and possibly (national) security," he said.
This in itself provides sufficient grounds for the authorities to invoke the tough security law, which provides detention without trial against Anwar.
And when asked what action the government would take against him, Abdullah refused to reveal his cards, saying: "I will not indicate what plan I will take, what I do will be in the best interests of the people and the country."
"Because of Anwar's actions, there are fund managers who have reported that Malaysia is purportedly no longer a good place for investment because of the unstable political climate."
Abdullah said the opposition leader has lied a lot about the country's economic status, even claiming that there is no Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) coming in.
On the contrary, the premier said FDI is still flowing in and Malaysia is popular among investors.
"Anwar wants to destroy the country and exploit the people’s trust and tarnish the country’s image abroad."
Using the ISA against Anwar would undoubtedly have severe repercussions but such a move would not come as a surprise after three individuals, including an opposition politician, were nabbed under the draconian law last Friday.
James Chin, a political analyst from Monash University's campus in Kuala Lumpur, said Abdullah's comments were a clear warning that Anwar could face arrest under ISA.
"If they arrest Anwar under ISA, it will not be accepted by both Malaysians and the international community," he told AFP.
More news at: Malaysiakini
Another blogger arrested - Malaysiakini
Sept 17, 08 6:24pm
The police have arrested another blogger, Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz, in Kota Baru this afternoon.
According to PAS parliamentarian Husam Musa, the blogger (kickdefella.wordpress.com) was picked up from his house.
kickdefella syed azidi syed abdul azizSyed Azidi, who works for the state government, was detained at about 5pm by a three-member plainclothes police team. His laptop was also confiscated.
Checks with his wife Bariah Ishak revealed that the popular blogger was arrested under the Sedition Act.
"The police said my husband was arrested based on a police report filed in Kuala Lumpur," she said.
Syed Azidi, according to the police, will be brought to Kuala Lumpur.
Upside down flag
In a posting on his blog dated Aug 23, Syed Azidi (under the title Siasat Kickdefella Dibawah Akta Hasutan) had written that a pro-Umno website by a minister was calling for him to be investigated under the Sedition Act.
The blogger courted controversy recently after launching an online campaign to fly the Malaysian flag upside down.
The campaign had attracted the attention of the prime minister who said that the move was "despicable".
"This is uncouth behaviour, showing no respect at all for the national flag. What is there to be angry with the Malaysian flag?" he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
"If there are Malaysians who want to take up the idea that came from the pro-opposition blogger, they are insulting this important national symbol (flag)," he added.
The police have arrested another blogger, Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz, in Kota Baru this afternoon.
According to PAS parliamentarian Husam Musa, the blogger (kickdefella.wordpress.com) was picked up from his house.
kickdefella syed azidi syed abdul azizSyed Azidi, who works for the state government, was detained at about 5pm by a three-member plainclothes police team. His laptop was also confiscated.Checks with his wife Bariah Ishak revealed that the popular blogger was arrested under the Sedition Act.
"The police said my husband was arrested based on a police report filed in Kuala Lumpur," she said.
Syed Azidi, according to the police, will be brought to Kuala Lumpur.
Upside down flag
In a posting on his blog dated Aug 23, Syed Azidi (under the title Siasat Kickdefella Dibawah Akta Hasutan) had written that a pro-Umno website by a minister was calling for him to be investigated under the Sedition Act.
The blogger courted controversy recently after launching an online campaign to fly the Malaysian flag upside down.
The campaign had attracted the attention of the prime minister who said that the move was "despicable".
"This is uncouth behaviour, showing no respect at all for the national flag. What is there to be angry with the Malaysian flag?" he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
"If there are Malaysians who want to take up the idea that came from the pro-opposition blogger, they are insulting this important national symbol (flag)," he added.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
MCA: Release Kok, RPK from ISA - Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Sept 16, 2008
The MCA has called for Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin to be released from their arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Kok and Raja Petra should be investigated under other laws and be charged in court if there was evidence.
“To prevent possible future abuse of the ISA, the MCA central committee calls for a comprehensive review of the ISA so that it will apply strictly to cases relating to terrorism and subversive elements.
“There should also be a mechanism for checks and balances in the use of the ISA,” he said after chairing a six-hour meeting at Wisma MCA here on Tuesday.
Ong also said that the arrest of Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng for 18 hours under the ISA was totally uncalled for and the explanation given for her detention was unacceptable.
The MCA has called for Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin to be released from their arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Kok and Raja Petra should be investigated under other laws and be charged in court if there was evidence.
“To prevent possible future abuse of the ISA, the MCA central committee calls for a comprehensive review of the ISA so that it will apply strictly to cases relating to terrorism and subversive elements.
“There should also be a mechanism for checks and balances in the use of the ISA,” he said after chairing a six-hour meeting at Wisma MCA here on Tuesday.
Ong also said that the arrest of Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng for 18 hours under the ISA was totally uncalled for and the explanation given for her detention was unacceptable.
PKR to break 'good news' - NST
PUTRAJAYA: Sept 16, 2008
Pakatan Rakyat reps (from left) Tian Chua, Elizabeth Wong and Saifuddin Nasution at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport after returning from Taiwan yesterday
Pakatan Rakyat has insisted that it will take over the Federal Government.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information head Tian Chua, who returned yesterday after following a group of Barisan Nasional backbenchers to Taiwan, claimed his mission to get a final confirmation from BN members of parliament to cross over to the opposition "was accomplished".
"We believe that we can announce the good news to the people either today (yesterday) or tomorrow morning."
However, he said, it was up to the party leadership on when or how the announcement would be made.
Tian Chua said he was forced to follow the group to Taiwan so he could keep in touch with them.
"We just wanted a reassurance that they were still interested in forming a new government with us.
"They are all sticking to their earlier commitment (to join Pakatan Rakyat) and no one has backtracked on his word."
Pressed for details of the meetings, Chua would only say that he met the MPs during a "long" dinner.
He refused to name the MPs or say if the meeting was done in groups or individually.
"We only had a few hours but our meeting was successful and we were given a clear indication by the MPs that they were happy to join Pakatan Rakyat."
Asked if he thought it was right for Pakatan Rakyat to promote the crossover culture, he sidestepped the issue opting instead to criticise the government on the use of the Internal Security Act.
Pakatan Rakyat reps (from left) Tian Chua, Elizabeth Wong and Saifuddin Nasution at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport after returning from Taiwan yesterdayPakatan Rakyat has insisted that it will take over the Federal Government.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information head Tian Chua, who returned yesterday after following a group of Barisan Nasional backbenchers to Taiwan, claimed his mission to get a final confirmation from BN members of parliament to cross over to the opposition "was accomplished".
"We believe that we can announce the good news to the people either today (yesterday) or tomorrow morning."
However, he said, it was up to the party leadership on when or how the announcement would be made.
Tian Chua said he was forced to follow the group to Taiwan so he could keep in touch with them.
"We just wanted a reassurance that they were still interested in forming a new government with us.
"They are all sticking to their earlier commitment (to join Pakatan Rakyat) and no one has backtracked on his word."
Pressed for details of the meetings, Chua would only say that he met the MPs during a "long" dinner.
He refused to name the MPs or say if the meeting was done in groups or individually.
"We only had a few hours but our meeting was successful and we were given a clear indication by the MPs that they were happy to join Pakatan Rakyat."
Asked if he thought it was right for Pakatan Rakyat to promote the crossover culture, he sidestepped the issue opting instead to criticise the government on the use of the Internal Security Act.
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