GE13: SAPP will never return to BN: Yong

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee on Tuesday emphasised that it is never an option for SAPP to return to Barisan Nasional because SAPP is committed to a Sabah that will never be subservient to Malaya control.

"Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat being Kuala Lumpur-centric do not understand this burning desire of Sabahan to be autonomous," he said, adding that SAPP has sworn to safeguard Sabah's interests and will not risk losing Sabah's support and trust.

During a Kopitiam Talk held in Foh Sang on Monday, Yong rebutted DAP's smear campaign to mislead and confuse the public that SAPP will return to Barisan Nasional once they win in the election. "This rumour clearly shows that DAP does not understand the principles of the Malaysia Agreement which guarantees our autonomy status," he said.

Yong insisted that SAPP will stand by the people of Sabah and will not let the Federal Government lead the people by the nose, and even if Barisan Nasional invites SAPP to form a coalition government after the election, SAPP will not even consider it as SAPP refuses to embrace the Barisan Nasional doctrine.

Yong said he was shocked to hear that DAP leaders' close relationship with Barisan Nasional leaders and it is possible that some "backdoor deal" between DAP and Barisan Nasional is possible and maybe they plan to wipe out local parties.

During the question and answer time, another who identified himself as Wong queried why SAPP refused to cooperate with Pakatan Rakyat so that a one on one fight was possible.

Yong responded to his question but the man refused to listen and kept repeating the same question three times until the audience booed him and he left quickly.

Yong pointed out during the early stage of seat negotiations with Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, an agreement has been reached that Pakatan Rakyat will contest most of the MP seats and SAPP will contest most of the State seats.

"But this agreement is stalled as DAP demands extra seats including Sandakan and Penampang MP and State seats," he added.

In response to Anwar's announcement on Saturday that Pakatan Rakyat will re-open the negotiation with SAPP, Yong pointed out that if Pakatan Rakyat is sincere in their proposal, they must appoint a leader to meet SAPP for the negotiation, and SAPP will delay the confirmation of the candidates until April 16. The list of the candidates will be officially announced on April 17.