SANDAKAN – Despite the recent spate of crossovers among MPs across the country, state ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is confident that it will not face such issues.
Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, founding president of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), asserted this as he brushed aside the notion that it will suffer cracks due to party-hopping.
This is a marked change in tune for SAPP. The party that once held autonomy as its war cry for Sabah is now looking to Putrajaya for political conciliation and the state’s own well-being.
Yong has come a long way since bringing his party out of Barisan Nasional in 2008, having recently overseen the party getting back in league with BN, courtesy of SAPP being a component of Perikatan Nasional.
The GRS state government features BN, PN and Parti Bersatu Sabah as components.
Currently a nominated assemblyman, Yong said the pact signed among GRS components helps ensure that the state government remains intact, no matter what happens in Putrajaya.
He said it is natural and common for people to question GRS’ stability.
“The leaders of the components have given their assurance that they will work together. I think the people should be more convinced of the GRS pact.
“GRS has gone through all the conflicts and differences possible during the formation of the state cabinet. Determining the chief minister, for example. We have gone through all that, and have reached an agreement.
“We have overcome the difficult part. Whatever that needed to be resolved has been resolved.
“Hence, despite the defections across the country, GRS remains strong,” he said in an interview with The Vibes.
After being out of the ruling fold for a while, Yong believes that any goings-on in Putrajaya will affect Sabah, too.
Although the hot-and-cold ties between Umno and Bersatu in Peninsular Malaysia have not affected the ruling alliance in Sabah, he warns that GRS should not take any chances.
“Whatever happens in the headquarters of these political parties is going to affect Sabah’s political landscape, whether positively or negatively.
“However, the Umno-Bersatu feud (in the peninsula) will not materially affect GRS in Sabah, because the key party leaders (in GRS) have a good working relationship.”
Yong was Sabah chief minister between 1996 and 1998, under BN’s former rotation system for the state.
He said the poor relationship between Umno and Bersatu in the peninsula could have a positive effect on East Malaysia.
“In a way, the KL (peninsula parties’) problems can be an advantage for Sabah, because then, they all will need Sabah and Sarawak,” he said, referring to national parties’ need for support from Sabah parties.
SAPP is part of PN, along with Bersatu, PAS, Sabah Star and Gerakan, cooperating with Umno and its BN allies MCA and MIC, to form GRS.
Road to recovery
As the price of palm oil improves, Yong, who is also chairman of the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster in Sabah, believes that it is just a matter of time before the state’s economy is back on track.
“Palm oil is the biggest contributor to Sabah’s GDP, and the sector has been doing well for the last four to five months.
“The price of CPO (crude palm oil) and all palm oil-related products has been improving because demand is picking up.
“The state government will have more income,” he said, adding that domestic tourism is also recovering.
He said Japan holding the Olympics and Paralympics this July will be a psychological boost signalling that the situation has improved, and people will start to participate in social functions.
He added that he hopes the Covid-19 vaccine will open the path for international tourism soon. – The Vibes, March 19, 2021
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