USA getting stronger despite forces out to disrupt and break up coalition

KOTA KINABALU - “Despite wedges driven by others to disrupt and break up the coalition, in reality Gabungan Sabah or United Sabah Alliance (USA) is getting stronger and meeting the people’s wishes for unity in 1 to 1 contests with the Barisan Nasional in the forthcoming election,” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, President of the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star Sabah), in response to speculations that there are cracks in the coalition.

In fact, more parties are joining USA and more members of Umno and BN parties are joining the coalition parties particularly STAR except that it is not publicized.  

The stand taken by USA on the issue of the Sabah Rights Review Committee (SRRC) under Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang has not been compromised as the call for a public forum by USA remains unchanged.

“What seems to be a contention is that I have submitted a separate report to the SRRC. There is no such thing,” said Dr. Jeffrey.

“What has been submitted is the MySabah Report/Memorandum handed over to the Sabah government prepared by the MySabah Sabah Rights Sub-Committee which is chaired by me.  This was submitted long before the SRRC under Minister Teo invited other political parties and NGOs to attend and submit their presentations at the public hearing in January 2017”.

“The MySabah Memorandum is in fact a follow-up of the 1st Memorandum submitted on 15 July 2015 following the 2 public forums held in UMS, to PM Najib, who then agreed to set up a Special Committee to look into the 40% net revenue entitlement to be returned to Sabah under the Federal Constitution” added Dr. Jeffrey.

“The Memorandum is nothing new and is based on what has been said which is consistent with the Sabah rights including the 40% net revenue entitled fought for by me since the 1980s and for which I was incarcerated under the Internal Security Act in 1991-1993”.

What is more important is to ensure that the Sabah government takes the correct stand to ensure Sabah Rights are restored for the benefit of our beloved homeland and all Sabahans. And for USA to be united in pursuing the Sabah Rights with a regime change in the best interests of Sabah and Sabahans which in turn will make Malaysia and Sabah more progressive with a brighter future.