SAPP to work with PR to take on BN one-to-one

TAWAU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Merotai branches have passed two resolutions to work with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to see a one-to-one fisht with the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 13^th general election.

The resolutions were bassed during their annual general meeting (AGM) here yesterday.

In reaching the resolutions, the 150 members of the branches of Kampung Sin San, Kuhara Road, Kampung Pitas and Hotspring Road do not want to see a three cornered fight and were adamant to have one-to-one fight with the BN.

Newly appointed SAPP Merotai chairman and Supreme Council member Kenneth Goh said the two resolutions passed were for the majority of parliament seats to be given to PR while SAPP would go for the majority State seats to ensure a one-to-one fight between the opposition and BN.

"Majority of the parliament seats will be given to PR and SAPP will assist PR to go to Putrajaya. However, SAPP demands that for the state seats we are looking at the majority," he said.

Goh added the resolutions reached by the grassroots of Merotai would be brought to the SAPP congress for deliberation.

At the AGM, SAPP treasurer- general Datuk Wong Yit Ming said as long as SAPP wins, it would be a loss for BN and also a win for PR.

"So we have to work together and continue for a one-on-one. We will support PR to Putrajaya," he said. Tawau member, of parliament and SAPP vice- president Chua Soon Bui said SAPP had declared that it would work closely and support PR.

"For the state seats, work together with us to change the government with a SAPP-PR coalition.

It is a win-win strategy for the people. No doubt the two party systems has gained momentum in the Peninsular but because of the complexity and politicai background in Sabah, SAPP has to fight for one country two systems and maintain our autonomy for the state," she said.

"We can clearly see that when Sabah and Sarawak are contributing 80 Per cent of gas and 40 percent of oil output and yet we don't have ample electricity supply and gas is channelled to Bintulu for other purposes ignoring the suffering of Sabah people.

"As for the 40 per cent of the oil under the Petroleum Act, until today we have not got the appointment of the advisor as stipulated in the Act. So the five per cent that is supposed to be given to the government, we also do not know whether the proceeds is five per cent. And with so much contribution, the state is still the poorest in Malaysia.

"The palm oil we contribute 35 per cent of the total output and yet the Malaysian Palm Oil Board only gives us 6,000 metric tons and the people have to fight to get cooking oil while in West Malaysia they can take a bath in the cooking oil," she said.

Chua added Sabah's road system compared, West Malaysia is enjoying the North-South highway, Yet in Sabah it does not have a good road system linking all the major districts.

"We have to drive up to Sandakan to reach the capital and the RM700 million 150-kilometre Tawau to Keningau road is still gravelled with lots of potholes.

"So for the coming election, we really have to fight for the state autonomy and change the BN government to a SAPP-PR coalition government," shd said.

The Borneo Post

Monday, August 22, 2011

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