KOTA KINABALU - “Humiliating defeat”, “disastrous”, “makan telur”, “close shop” and other mocking, if not obscene, words were thrown at the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) in the wake of the 13th General Election last May.
The fact that SAPP leaders continue to hold their heads high, despite not winning a single seat, is reckoned as testimony that the party’s struggle is based on truth, sincerity and sacrifices.
These are the words of comfort and consolation that SAPP President Yong Teck Lee had for his battered and bruised flock on the eve of the party’s weekend congress.
“The victors ridiculed us. We were laughed at. Those of us, a few, who were demoralized, left the party,” he conceded. “Those of us who are tough enough to brave the cold have chosen to remain in SAPP.”
If SAPP remains fearless, the members proud, it’s because its struggle remains honourable, according to Yong. “The reason is that what we have said before is being vindicated.”
He cited the MyKad issue created by illegal immigrants, continuing land grabs, exploitation of Sabah’s resources, rising cost of living, and the deteriorating security situation as the main issue which SAPP had laid out before the people last May.
The defection of victorious Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives (PR) to Barisan Nasional (BN), claimed Yong, had been predicted by SAPP leaders.
“Little or nothing is being done to rectify the injustices suffered by Sabah,” moaned Yong. “Instead, both BN and PR leaders busy themselves with their internal power struggles.”
The SAPP Chief sees Umno in Sabah as riddled with conspiracies to topple their leaders while other BN parties bicker over the “frogs” from PR.
“Self-interest continues to rule the day. Peninsula parties are buried in the snowball of lies churned out by them and sowing internal discord among them,” chuckled Yong.
“PR is no different. At the first post-election sitting of the legislative assembly, PR parties were fighting over the post of “opposition leader” instead of fighting the BN.”
Yong’s verdict is that they – BN and PR — reap what they sow.
John Joseph
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