Sabah Gerakan: ‘LDP not welcome in BN anymore’

Chinese-dominated Liberal Democratic Party, Sabah Barisan Nasional's oldest ally stands at a crossroad facing calls from its rivals within the coalition to quit following its public criticism of Chief Minister Musa Aman.

KOTA KINABALU: An all out war has been declared within the Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition under Chief Minister Musa Aman against the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Gerakan Sabah is the latest BN coalition partner to have joined in the LDP-bashing spree following the senior coalition party’s outspoken criticism of the chief minister who is also the state BN chairman.

Gerakan Sabah chairman Gordon Leong urged Musa to seriously consider issuing a showcause letter and to take necessary disciplinary action against LDP for disrespect.

Leong in a statement issued here today said its fellow BN coalition member was undermining the integrity and stability of the State leadership.

Describing LDP’s criticism as “uncalled for childish behaviour that reflects their political immaturity and such an attitude is misleading the public,” he said LDP was not welcome in the BN any longer.

“Their constant uncalled for public outcries contradict themselves by not respecting our PM’s decision and strong support of the State BN leadership of Sabah, in particular Musa Haji Aman,” said Leong.

He rubbished the LDP leadership’s claim that they have been sidelined by the State BN leadership despite being a long standing component party of BN.

Leong pointed out that after the shock resignation of former LDP president Chong Kah Kiat as the Minister of Tourism and Environment,one of its leaders Liew Yun Fah was made the Minister of Youth and Sports only to be dropped by the LDP leadership at the following general election who later revoked of his membership.

Public outburst

He said after the 12th General Election, Peter Pang was appointed Minister of Youth and Sports and later appointed Deputy Chief Minister following the departure of SAPP from BN, while Pang Yuk Ming was appointed Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development.

“Unfortunately, last September Pang quit LDP as he could not agree with the party’s public outburst that it could not work with the Chief Minister.

“Hence, no prize for answering the question “Who sidelined who?”.

“LDP should know full well that they cannot have their cake and eat it. One cannot help wondering  if LDP is with the opposition or with BN.
“We are especially puzzled when the DAP Sabah chairman Jimmy Wong voiced its support for LDP’s stand,” he added.
He suggested the LDP leadership should consider quitting the coalition if they really can no longer commit to the political struggles of BN.
“They should be brave enough to take the next course of action, which is to quit the coalition to prove that they can get and enjoy the support of the people,” he said.

“LDP should not cry foul and be a sour grape simply because their opinion differs from that the majority of the other BN component parties.

“After all we live in a democratic country. Let us be reminded that there is no room for personal grudges within the BN.

“The BN component parties should instead close ranks and concentrate on how to serve the rakyat diligently under the umbrella of BN so as to guarantee a landslide victory for BN in the coming general election,” he added.

Leong poured praise on Musa, who has favoured the peninsula-based party with key appointments in his cabinet, and said Gerakan would “continue to give its fullest unequivocal support for his capable and able leadership”.

Queville To