Statements taken from 4 SAPP leaders over RCI gathering

KOTA KINABALU - Four Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leaders were called to have their statements recorded at the Karamunsing Police Station here, Friday, for taking part in the peaceful gathering staged by SAPP on Sunday.

Those called were Deputy Presidents Melanie Chia and Edward Dagul, SAPP Secretary-General Datuk Richard Yong and SAPP Youth Chief Jamain Sarudin.

It was learnt that SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee was also called but he could not be present and would only have his statement taken next week.

Also present were SAPP Vice President Carrie Fong and Event Organising Secretary Stephan Gaimin.

SAPP Youth Chief Jamain Sarudin, when met at the police station, questioned the reason for other SAPP leaders to be called to have their statements taken when the peaceful gathering was actually organised by the SAPP Youth.

"The SAPP Youth Chief is the person who should be called in to have the statement taken and I am surprised why other SAPP leaders are also called in," he said.

He said the peaceful gathering went smoothly and that they abided by every order given by the enforcement, adding that the SAPP Youth hoped the release of the findings on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants will follow through next month as announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when opening the Upko 2014 Convention here recently.

"We also do not want to see the RCI findings postponed again because it has been our long struggle calling for the setting up of RCI on illegal immigrants in the State and now it is complete we want the findings to be released," he said. He claimed that he had informed the police about the peaceful gathering two days prior to the event.

Meanwhile, SAPP Secretary-General Datuk Richard Yong said the RCI findings have long been delayed.

"The SAPP Youth was merely reflecting the sentiments of the people on why the release of RCI findings has dragged on and on despite the promise made before the general election.

"We bring the issue out to the people in a peaceful way. We have been very disciplined, law-abiding, without violating any law and we have always followed the instructions ordered by police yet we will always be called to have our statements taken every time we try to bring the issue out to the people.

"But the question is, if we do not voice the concerns, then who will do it for Sabah because this is SAPP as a local political party's job," he said.

Several supporters from the SAPP Youth led by its Youth Chief Jamain Sarudin had on Sunday staged a peaceful gathering calling for the release of findings on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants here to follow through.

The supporters gathered at the Chong Thien Vun Park at about 9am, carrying banners and placards with written words such as 'Orang Asal Dianggap PTI. PTI Dianggap Tempatan' and 'Mana Keputusan RCI' before proceeding to Gaya Street Sunday Market.

The close to 30-minute peaceful assembly ended when directed by a police team led by City Police Chief ACP M. Chandra to disperse.

Among those present were SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, Deputy Presidents Melanie Chua and Edward Dagul, veteran politician Datuk Hj Mohd Noor Mansoor and Datuk James Ligunjang.