YONG: Both Tourism and Home ministers should resign

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president said the federal tourism minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz's remarks that he was only "speaking the truth" that Sabah is not safe to visit has dubiously succeeded in further damaging Sabah's economy, especially the tourism sector.

"While the federal Home ministry, which is responsible for the security of Sabah, has failed to secure Sabah's east coast, the federal tourism ministry has now created a double tragedy for Sabah by broadcasting to the whole world that Sabah is not safe. Sadly, this minister has casted serious doubts over security not only in the East Coast but in the whole of Sabah," he said.

"In the face of this open assault on the dismal failure of the Home ministry by the Tourism minister in parliament, the honourable thing for the Home Minister now is to resign to take responsibility for the failure of his ministry.

"As for the federal tourism minister, he has also committed dereliction of duty by calling on the Inspector General of Police, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents and the Sabah Tourism minister to go themselves to China to meet the China media. Basically, this minister is saying that he refuses or has failed to do his job. As such, he should resign immediately.

Yong, a former Sabah chief minister said that Sabahans are being told that Sabah can benefit from being ruled by the same Barisan Nasional government led by UMNO at both federal and State levels.

But he said, "unfortunately what we are witnessing is a complete let down by the federal government towards Sabah."