Sabah's dilemma

Crossovers still an issue (NST, 14 May 2008)

- Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee felt that supporters in the state would give the BN until September to resolve outstanding issues or face the possibility of crossovers.

- Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president, Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, said his party leaders had yet to meet the prime minister on the issue.

- PBS president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said MPs intending to cross over must quit and seek a fresh mandate from the people.

- Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok declined to comment when approached. "I will give a proper interview tomorrow," he said when met at the Parliament lobby.

- Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said there was no need to repeatedly assure Abdullah about the allegiance of Sabah BN MPs.

Talk of 'jumping ship' upsets BN reps (NST, 14 May 2008)

THE rumour mill worked overtime in the house yesterday as backbenchers wondered who among them was crossing to the opposition. If the story on Monday was that Sabah BN members were crossing, yesterday it was about Peninsular Malaysia backbenchers switching.

It was said that the big switch would take place today (Wednesday), with 15 members going to do it.

Here are some views from BN members on the rumours.

- Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau): "Let's wait and see. I'm confident whatever the rumours are, it will be baseless."
- Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar): "It is an irresponsible statement by rumour-mongers as it undermines the integrity of MPs."

- Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah): "No one approached me. All this talk about crossing over is just a form of psychological warfare by the Opposition."

- Salleh Kalbi (BN-Silam): "I haven't been approached. I have my own principles. BN has a proven track record but now it is time for them to realise development should not only be concentrated in the peninsula."

- Datuk Chua Soon Bui (BN-Tawau): "Any party has the right to do what they want but whether they will get any positive response remains to be seen."

- Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (BN-Mambong): "My principles are very clear -- I will never abandon BN. It's just political manoeuvring by the opposition."

- Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN-Kapit): "This is all about integrity, and I personally feel hurt by the opposition's claims."

Datuk Eric Majimbun's Plea (NST, 14 May 2008)
- Take heed of Sabah's problems

I AM now in my second term serving the Sepanggar constituency, and my time spent at the August House so far has been, for the most part, a positive experience for my constituents and I.

However, like my fellow Sabah MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, there are some reservations which, for a while now, we have held close to heart.

The recent speeches by Datuk Anifah Aman (BN-Kimanis) and Datuk Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) when debating the royal address were a clear indication of where we, as Sabah leaders, stand.

It is not that we are not grateful for the assistance the government has accorded our state, especially in education in my constituency, which houses Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

The crux of the matter is that Sabah's needs are simply not taken seriously.
The people have been, for too long, deprived of the most basic of infrastructure, such as proper roads, running water and electricity.

The Kokol road and the flood-prone Telipok-Kiulu road are examples.

These roads are key access routes for tourists and the public, particularly poor rural folk.

Then there is the hardship faced by fishermen in my constituency, particularly the trawler operators who are hard-pressed to find sufficient fuel to achieve their three-trips-a-week quota.

I was made to understand that the Sabah Fisheries and Fishermen's Development Corporation is given two million litres of subsidised diesel a month, but only 500,000 litres go to the Kota Kinabalu Fishing Boats Association.

Currently they can only go out to sea at the most twice a week, when they need at least 800,000 litres to make the quota.

The poor are not getting it any easier, with the increase in the import tariff for frozen meat by some 20 per cent on April 1 this year.

Imported meats, particularly chicken parts, have, for a long time been a staple for the lower income groups who cannot afford the fresh chicken in the markets.

As to how this tariff affects their lives, take the cost of grilled chicken wings at roadside stalls, which in the not so distant past went for RM1 each. Now it costs RM1.80 for one chicken wing in Kota Kinabalu.

We are not demanding for extravagant gestures from the federal government.

All we are asking is this - listen to our problems and make a serious effort to help us help the country.