PBS's 'sandiwara' statements and 'main wayang'

KOTA KINABALU, May 11, 2011: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth Chief Edward Dagul, today said that Datuk Herbert again chose to shoot his mouth off without reading the statement made by Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

"Or maybe, he has read but does not comprehend. Or worse still, the press statement was just related to him, thus the partial comprehension.

Whichever one it is, what is abundantly clear is Datuk Herbert has come across as being ignorant, and not for the first time. Who in their right mind would seek explanations that have already been clearly stated and fully explained? Maybe Tan Sri Pairin was referring to Herbert Timbun when he advised that this PTI issue should not be politicized for political mileage.

"Since we are on the PTI issue, having stated on record what Datuk Yong has done for Sabah during his two year stint as the Chief Minister of Sabah. What has the PBS President done during his nine years rule as the CM and the CEO of the State to resolve the issue? Let's add to that the nine extra years as the Deputy Chief Minister of the current BN administration and not forgetting the five years as a full cabinet minister of the Berjaya administration.

"Herbert should consult his colleagues in the current BN Cabinet if he is unsure. The so called border pass suggested for Filipino citizens is a registration process on those entering the State, much like the current immigration practice at the moment. Once registered, it then becomes easier to locate and find those who have exceeded their stay etc. The regularization exercise was also a registration programme. Maybe Herbert should have asked his Secretary General who seemed quite knowledgeable to a point?

"It is PBS Secretary General, Datuk Henrynus Amin, who has to eat the proverbial humble "apple” pie. His public acknowledgement via the media is ample prove that the Federal Authorities refuses to address the perennial illegal immigrant problem in Sabah. Either PBS leaders within the Federal Cabinet or the State Cabinet are non-performing or they are there for mere window dressing? Or are they there to mere rubber stamp and be the obedient "Pak Turut”? Whatever the answer, what is apparent is that PBS reasons for rejoining BN does not hold water.

"Whilst Henrynus was generous in his praising of SAPP's might in the downfall of PBS, one must be forthright and truthful in giving praises where it's due, that the downfall of PBS was largely attributed to PBS's YBs who jumped ship and went on to form PDS and PBRS. That was what transpired even though PBS won the 1994 elections by the slimmest of majority. But it seems that this convenient lapse of memory suits Datuk Henrynus Amin so as not to poke the BN hornet's nest.

"Many Sabahans will not putting up their hopes too high as the PBS challenge for the Federal Government to resolve the PTI issue by 2012 is seen as "main wayang”. The reason being that the NKRA's Special Laboratory on illegal immigrants is largely perceived as an afterthought, the result of its findings will be nothing new and that none of the recommendations will be implemented by 2012, despite Pairin's proclamation at the 24th PBS Congress.

"Datuk Henrynus is however right in saying that Sabahan voters are smart. They can see through the so called leaders who have abandoned them. Natives, mainly KDMs lost ancestral lands, suffer forced evictions from forest reserves etc are becoming regular features in the news. Always proclaiming to be championing the KDM community's cause, what have PBS leaders done to assist them? The inaction as well as the continued silence by PBS leaders on this and other pertinent issues affecting especially the KDM community has left them feeling hopeless and abandoned.

"It is this act of betrayal to the community that will witness PBS leaders desperately hanging onto their positions by issuing "sandiwara” statements to remain relevant in the eyes of Sabahans.