STAR: Better good dreams than nightmares under BN

“It is better to have good dreams for a better Sabah for Sabahans than to have actual nightmares under BN parties and Sabahans continue to be poorer and poorer and be marginalized by the Federal Government and the State be deprived of our rights and flooded by illegal immigrants with dubious ICs” replied Guandee Kohoi, Secretary, STAR Sabah Chapter, to the statements by leaders of Upko, PBS and PBRS.

Contrary to the accusations, Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan’s stand is clear that the leaders in Sabah must stand united in protecting the State and Sabahans irrespective of their political ideologies.

For 48 years, Sabah leaders have been manipulated and hoodwinked resulting in the slow but steady erosion of Sabah’s rights including the unfair taking of Sabah’s oil and gas resources.  This has resulted because Sabah leaders have not been united and did not prioritize Sabah’s rights and interests over their party’s interests and personal interest.

Dr. Jeffrey has even invited and urged the local Sabah BN parties and UMNO Sabah leaders to leave BN and stand united to safeguard Sabah’s interests in Malaysia.

If the Sabah BN leaders love Sabah and care for the rights and welfare of Sabahans, the Sabah BN leaders should take pro-active actions to safeguard Sabah’s rights.   Under UMNO SABAH’s “Sabah Baru” policy, Sabah is now the poorest State in Malaysia with 40% of the poor in Malaysia.

“The local Sabah BN components are no longer relevant and are no bodies in the eyes of UMNO.   Dare Dompok, Kurup and Mositun deny that Upko, PBRS and PBS are not treated as equals and policies decided without consensus from Sabah components” asked Guandee.

Even UMNO Sabah are seeking to takeover the seats of Upko and PBRS including Kurup’s seat in Pensiangan.

“What is wrong in seeking the restoration of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in Malaysia and seeking a better and more equitable treatment of Sabahans by the Federal Government, higher oil royalties from the current unfair 5%, the resolution of the illegal immigrants and Project IC issue under the Borneo Agenda” asked Guandee, which STAR Sabah is seeking for Sabah.

“Is it wrong to have such “dreams” as alleged when they are good for Sabah and Sabahans.”

“Is Dompok, Mositun and Kurup meaning to say that they and Upko, PBS and PBRS will not fight for Sabah’s rights?” retorted Guandee.

“If Kuala Lumpur leaders want Sabah leaders to be traitors to Sabah’s cause, are Dompok, Mositun and Kurup and their other leaders continuing to be willingly pulled by them?”

Dr. Jeffrey and STAR  Sabah’s vision for Sabah and Sabahans are clear and precise.  “Can Dompok and Kurup say the same of their parties’ vision as their parties are no longer relevant to the people?”

It is not for Mositun or Kurup to decide whether STAR Sabah would be accepted by the people of Sabah.   STAR Sabah have come up with their aspirations for the people of Sabah and will leave to people to decide in the forthcoming general elections.

STAR Sabah strongly believes that based on the people’s feelings mosquito parties like PBRS will be wiped out in the coming elections and become obsolete.

It has never been the dream of Dr. Jeffrey of heading a political party and has never made it his objective of heading the previous parties and deemed it fit to leave the political vehicles for failing to see through Dr. Jeffrey’s political stand.

Dr. Jeffrey has always been consistent in his political stand that there must be “JUSTICE FOR SABAH” to the extent of being a political prisoner under the ISA for more than 2 years.   No other Sabah leader has ever made such a sacrifice.

As for SPF’s response, STAR Sabah would like to state, amongst others, that the Secretary-General was present as the launching of STAR Sabah.

STAR Sabah’s political vision is for Sabah’s rights and for the empowerment of the people in Sabah and invite the Sabah BN leaders and their parties to abandon the BN and unite with STAR Sabah to safeguard Sabah’ rights, interests and autonomy.

Guandee Kohoi is Secretary, STAR Sabah Chapter