SAPP: DAP don't talk down to Sabahans

By Jaafar Hj Ismail

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 14, 2012: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) asked DAP not to dash the people's hope to change the Government in the upcoming general elections.

DAP was reported in the local newspapers today in saying that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will contest all 60 State seats and 25 Parliament seats in Sabah and will not talk to SAPP, denying that there has been any discussion between Pakatan parties and SAPP. This is a gross disrespect to Sabahans.

SAPP contended that what Sabah needs to have is to have "one country, two systems". This is imperative because Sabah had been marginalized under national policies and development and resulting in it being categorized as the poorest and least developed state in Malaysia. The recent problems with the open air policy and air routes rescheduling is yet another most recent example of decisions made not in favor of the state which would affect our tourism industry, one of the three
main thrust for development announced by the State Government.

We cannot continue to have West Malaysian politicians coming to Sabah making decisions for Malaysians living in Sabah and telling us what to do and treating Sabah like a colony! What is worse is each time a KL leader comes, each one will say different things that confuse the people.

SAPP is a local Sabah-based political party which left BN more than three years ago with a Eight Points Declaration with the mission to establish a trustworthy government and a progressive, just and harmonious society.

In the run up and preparation to the upcoming election, SAPP is conscious of the people's wishes to have a one to one fight with BN to ensure a change of government.

By insisting to go it along and refusing to negotiate with SAPP on seats distribution reflects DAP's arrogance and their super confidence! DAP must not mistake their so-called success in Sarawak's April State election last year when DAP failed miserably to topple the BN Government.

SAPP reiterated that it is still open to further discussions to finalize strategy and seats with PR and other opposition parties.

Pic: Encik Jaafar Hj Ismail (Centre) YB Melanie Chia (SAPP Ketua Wanita) (L-1) and Peter Marajin (Supreme Councillor)(R-1) during the Press Conference.