LDP aims to wrest six SAPP-held seats

Queville To

Sabah's oldest BN ally LDP has urged its members not to 'linger in the past'.

SANDAKAN: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has laid claim to the six seats left vacant by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) who left Barisan Nasional (BN) in September 2008.

The six seats comprise two parliamentary seats – Tawau and Sepangar – and the state constituencies of Luyang, Likas, Elopura, and Tanjung Papat.

LDP president VK Liew made the claim for the six while officiating the annual general meeting for its six divisions in Sandakan yesterday.

“It goes without saying that LDP will continue to contest in the four seats we contested in 2008, namely (the) Sandakan parliamentary (seat) and the three state seats – Karamunting, Merotai and Tanjung Kapor.

“These seats are non-negotiable. On the other six seats left vacant by SAPP who left BN in September 2008, we will no doubt be the only eligible local based party to lay claim to these six seats,” he said.

Noting that the AGM was probably the last before the 13th general election, he stressed that it was important for the party to be ready not only in its preparation but also in dealing with the other component parties in BN.

“We must first ensure unity within our party and at the same time ensure unity within BN.

“It is important for us to be united together to fight the opposition … a win for BN is a win for LDP.

“We must therefore ensure BN wins.

“It is important for us to produce quality winnable candidates in all the seats we will be contesting and show their qualities and abilities to serve the people without fear and favor.

“No point to be popular in the party and (be) able to win in party election but get rejected by the people in an election,” said Liew who the Sandakan MP and a Deputy Minister in the PM’s Department.

‘Don’t linger in the past’

Liew stressed that LDP must not fight yesterday’s war as it is already over.

“Our battle is tomorrow and to fight it, we must be prepared today. LDP must not linger on in the past.

“While we can use the past as a guide, we must be prepared today using today’s strategies for tomorrow’s battle.

“The battle field has now changed and the mindset of the people is also changing,” he said.

Liew, who is also chairman of Elopura LDP division, also took the opportunity to take a swipe at those who had quit the party to join rival BN parties for positions in government.

“Many of you have been with LDP for the last 21 years. Your loyalty has made me very proud and an envy of many others.

“Despite recent attempt by someone, who left the party for his own personal glory just to hold on to his ministerial position, to entice our Sandakan members with promises and financial gains, many of you were not moved by such tactics.

“A member even told me that the person even called him to ask him and a group of them to leave with lots of financial promises but instead he together with many others scolded that minister for being a traitor and slammed down the phone.

“This is the spirit of LDP that I together with the entire LDP are very proud of.

“You are the true heroes and heroines of LDP.”

Though he did not name the ‘minister’, it is understood that Liew was referring to former LDP member Peter Pang, the state youth and sports minister.

The AGM was attended by 388 delegates and leaders from the six divisions – Tanjung Papat, Elopura, Karamunting, Sungai Sibuga, Sekong and Gum-Gum.