Sabahan capable to lead opposition parties

KOTA KINABALU: There is no need for PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to lead the Sabah opposition parties in the fight against Barisan Nasional in the coming general election, as Sabahans are capable of doing it themselves, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Amde Sidik.

He said this while commenting on the statement of Sabah People Front Party's (SPFP) President Berman Angkap yesterday, proposing Anwar to lead the opposition in Sabah.

"It would be ideal by leaving it to State based political parties, if they can combine among themselves to contest in the state, in the coming GE against the mighty BN as mentioned by the Sabah People Front Party's (SPFP) president Berman Angkap yesterday.

"But as to why Berman is proposing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to lead, I wouldn't really understand. Anwar Ibrahim has no power to decide what for us in Sabah and I'm of the opinion, Sabahans are able to lead individually or components parties in the event there is such thing given a chance," said Amde in a statement yesterday.

He also rebuked Berman for labelling SAPP as a Chinese based political party, suggesting that Berman should update his knowledge on the development of political parties in Sabah, in particular SAPP.

"I agree at the moment SAPP is being led by a Chinese leader in the name of Datuk Yong Teck Lee, this is just like Air Asia is being led by Datuk Tony Fernandez or Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow heads the Public Bank. Does it matter who lead what for the good of the people and the country? I'm talking about leaders with political maturity too.

"My question is, what's wrong with a Chinese, Kadazan, Kadayan, Bajau, Brunai and the like? Penang has always had a Chinese Chief Minister even during BN.

"Now Malays are migrating to Australia, tell me who is the Prime Minister of Australia?" he argued.

Amde then clarified that SAPP has over the years developed into a full-fledge Sabahan-led non-racial political party.

"Name me one political party is Malaysia has constitution like SAPP, Umno and the rest surely are not. SAPP is no longer as it was made to do like during in BN time where everything else based on racial line," he said.

Noting that SAPP has started its restructuring and rebranding some five years ago, it is thus wrong for anyone to consider SAPP as a Chinese based political party.

He further noted that its constitution allows for all its members regardless of their race and religion, to contest for the highest post in the party, adding that it currently has more non-Chinese members than the Chinese members.

"We're almost come close to 50 years of having the same system of government; I think we in SAPP want to change this and make Sabah and its people forward looking, This is what we've to offer not the same old outdated political outfit," he said.

By MICHAEL TEH