Don’t confuse people on the FMU : Yong

Nabawan, May 25, 2009: Barisan Nasional ( BN ) leaders in the State must not manipulate the Forest Management Unit ( FMU ) issue to the extent of confusing the people on its effectiveness.

"In fact, when the FMU was incepted in 1997 when it was my turn to be the Chief Minister, the State Cabinet at the time understood the policies. So even though I am now in opposition, it is not nice the objective of the FMU is politicized," said Sabah Progressive Party ( SAPP ) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

Speaking at the SAPP State-level Pesta Kaamatan celebration at Kampung Saupi, about 2 km from the town here, attended by about 3,000 people, Yong said the real objective of the FMU was to curb excessive clearing of the forest, apart from protecting the ecosystem in the long run.

To ensure the objective is achieved, he said a forest management committee was even created back then unfortunately the noble plan was twisted by certain quarters resulting in the people having misperception on it.

" I still remember my time about 40,000 Native Title lands were processed and approved during my time s Chief Minister, so we had never abandoned our responsibility to protect the people’ s right," he said.

"The FMU policy never affected the traditional villages and the people’s right in certain areas. All this had been our main policy," he said.

On the Pesta Kamaatan, Yong said it is has it own significance in preserving the culture and customs of the races in the State.

"Sabah has about 30 ethnic groups and each of them has its own customs and culture which we must respect as they been there for hundreds of years," he said.

Yong also reprimanded the attitude of certain quarters, especially the enforcement, for preventing the community to celebrate the tradition by holding a cockfight when receiving guests.

"I disagree that it is gambling because what happens here is a symbolic tradition of the Murut to welcome guests but, of course, if it is held outside the celebration, then it is up to the enforcement to take action because we also have to respect the law," he said.

In another note, Yong fully supported the proposal of the local community for the Government to revive the Pesta Injawari, which used to be held every Jan 1 during the colonial time as celebration to usher the New Year.

SAPP State-level Harvest Festival Celebration

Kota Kinabalu, May 24, 2009: SAPP State-level Pesta Kaamatan was held in Kg Saupi, Nabawan on May 23 at 12.30pm.

The celebration was officiated by its President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the highlights will be the Unduk Ngadau, Tapai tasting competition, sports for children and traditional activities.

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