Opposition parties should share burden and difficult seats

TAWAU - Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has called on opposition parties not only to share burden but also on difficult seats.

Its president, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, said opposition parties should not choose safe seats only but also share the difficult ones.

"SAPP has already made known we are taking one third of the parliament seats and two thirds of state seats and we have agreed in principle but we also have to share the burden, even the difficult seats," he said yesterday after the annual general meeting of SAPP Sri Tanjung, Apas, Balung and Merotai branches.

On the SAPP seats, Yong said they are spread out from upper North to lower North which are Kudat, Banggi, Kota Marudu, Kota Kinabalu and Penampang, while those in the South are Kawang, Papar, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Sindumin and Labuan.

"Interior, Tenom to Nabawan, central Ranau, Kuamut and Labuk and East Coast are Kunak, Lahad Datu and Tawau," he said.

He added SAPP is still open to negotiation with all parties.

"Nobody said they want to contest all seats except STAR," he said.

On the chances for a one-to-one contest, Yong said the confidence building with PR (Pakatan Rakyat) is good.

"Working relationship with Datuk Jeffrey (Kitingan) was in positive track. STAR has own thinking through UBF," he said, adding that if a one-to-one is not achieved between opposition parties, there will be pros and cons on pulling of voters and could go to either BN or opposition.

Yong also said SAPP would shift to full gear in preparation for the general election after the party's central committee convention in June.

He said the party had prepared and expected elections either in July, September or next year.

"After the central committee meeting in June, we are entering full force in preparation for the general election," he said.

"There is no disturbance or impact in SAPP because we have prepared but the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, once the general election is dragged, will have more negative impact because the opposition will have more time," he added.

Yong said SAPP's fight for autonomy does not mean abusing power but rather the people will enjoy more power on decision making and more efficiency in solving problems.