The fighting spirit of the SAPP family
KOTA KINABALU, September 24, 2017: SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation Senior Vice Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam
Thye should not be shocked at all over the recent arrests of suspected Abu
Sayyaf terrorists working as security guards in the nation's capital.
"The reckless issuance of MyKads and dubious citizenship documents to
foreigners without proper screening over the years explains why even
suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists have managed to become security guards in
Malaysia ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
August 21, 2017: Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional are just two sides
of the same coin and Sabahans would suffer if they continued to vote for
these Malayan parties.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said in
substance and in every way, the two coalitions are the same because they
only have Malaya's interests in mind despite parading themselves as the
true saviour of Malaysia.
"How to save Malaysia when the Malaya parties are destroying Malaysia?
Look at their leaders' records and what they have been saying about each
other.
"How can DAP talk about excluding PAS from government when they are in the
same government with PAS? Look at Selangor. Isn't DAP in the same
government as PAS? This says a lot about the hypocrisy of DAP politics,"
he said in his speech after attending the SAPP CLC Tanjung Aru branch's
annual general meeting, here, Sunday ...more
 KOTA KINABALU - The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) today challenged the
Barisan Nasional (BN) to dissolve the Sabah state assembly if it cannot
resolve the year-long delay in approving 13 new state seats.
SAPP president Yong Teck Lee said the unexplained and undue delay over the
approval of the new seats by the assembly was raising concern that
internal bickering was undermining the Sabah government’s ability to
function.
The assembly had approved amendments to the Sabah constitution last August
to increase the number of state assembly seats from 60 to 73.
“All sorts of reasons were given by the government for the necessity to
have an additional 13 constituencies,” said Yong whose party is a member
of opposition coalition Gabungan Sabah ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, July 20, 2017: The designation of the KK Wetlands (previously
known as Likas Bird Park) as Ramsar status is commendable as the status
brings with it UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation) recognition.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said the
KK Wetlands has been described as the last remaining example of this
mangrove ecosystem in an urban area with cultural importance in Sabah.
"It is also long overdue to give protection to the last remaining urban
greens in the City of Kota Kinabalu by implementing the Likas green belt
which has been planned many years ago. ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, May 22, 2017: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Panglima
Yong Teck Lee yesterday criticized the opposition parties in West Malaysia
for not having principle and honour as they were unable to let go of their
government posts even after their parties have gone separate ways.
Similarly, he pointed out that some Sabahan politicians in both the
Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition were unprincipled in their political
struggle.
Yong, who is the former Chief Minister of Sabah, said Parti Keadilan
Rakyat (PKR) members in Kelantan could not bring themselves to resign from
their posts.
“And in Selangor, PAS members are trying to hang on. Democratic Action
Party (DAP) which is condemning PAS has been embracing PAS leaders in the
Selangor government ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, May 6, 2017: The historic Atkinson Clock Tower cannot be
removed as it is one of 10 structures protected undere the Cultural
Heritage (Conservation) Enactment 1997, according to former Chief Minister
Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
The Sabah Progressive Party President said only the State Legislative
Assembly has the authority to amend the protection, in response to alleged
plans by City Hall to move the 112 year-old clock tower.
Yong was the Chief Minister under the two-year rotation system when the
Atkinson Tower was gazetted for protection under the enactment on April 9,
1997.
"The rationale of having to be approved by the Assembly is that any
motions or Bills will have to be made public and scrutinised ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, May 2, 2017: "We urge the Putatan district council to
seriously resolve the problems faced by the residents in the area
particularly the residents of Taman Bersatu,” said Datuk Richard Yong.
Datuk Richard Yong We Kong, who is Secretary-General of Sabah Progressive
Party (SAPP) recently visited the area after receiving complaints from
residents of Taman Bersatu about the faulty sewerage plant in the area.
The resident Madam Chong Len Kiau and one other resident Madam Shim
lamented that the pump of the sewerage pump has not been functioning for
many months.
Because of the main plant does not function, the man-hole of each houses
were filled with filthy waste which in turn created toilet blockage...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, April 14, 2017: The revelation in the Legislative assembly that
the Sabah Rights Review Committee has yet to complete its report is
another proof that the Sabah government lacks sincerity in truly pursuing
Sabah rights.
For instance, the Rights Review Committee chaired by a Cabinet minister
took three months to study a report by its Technical Committee. This
Review committee then invited political parties to give their views last
January. Another three months have passed and yet this Review Committee
has still not produced a single report even though it already had a report
from the Technical Committee.
This committee now has to send another report to the Sabah Cabinet, which,
if it agrees, will send yet another report to the “National Management and
Delivery Unit Committee” ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, March 5, 2017: The Sabah Minister of Local Government and
Housing and the Federal Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local
Government have a lot to answer on why they had chosen to over ride the
rights and interests of purchasers under housing development laws and
Sales and Purchase Agreements by granting extension of time for completion
without compensation.
It has been reported that one case involved a development (Sri Istana) in
Kuala Lumpur, approved by the then federal Minister of Urban Wellbeing,
Housing and Local Government. The case in Sabah is reportedly the Light
Residences in Penampang, the illegal extension of time of which was
approved by the Sabah Minister of Local Government and Housing.
The Sabah Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Enactment 1978 and
various regulations are put in place to protect purchasers. It is beyond
the powers of ministers to override the protection granted under the law
and the Sale and Purchase agreements ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, February 12, 2017: Sabah based oppositions coalition - Gabungan
Sabah – is confident of toppling the ruling Barisan Nasional in the coming
State election.
Gabungan Sabah Chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Mansur said it is not impossible
to inflict defeat against the present government as it has been proven in
the past.
"When Sabah was ruled by Berjaya, everybody said that it was impossible to
defeat them, but in the middle of 1980s, a newly formed opposition called
Parti Bersatu Sabah inflict heavy defeat against them.
"This shows that there is simply no impossible in Sabah if the opposition
parties and the people are unite," he said at the Chap Goh Mei luncheon of
the Gabungan Sabah at a leading restaurant, here ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
February 8, 2017: The Sabah government lacks political credential to face the
federal government on Sabah rights given the fact that the Sabah Rights
Review Committee is neither a Select Committee formed by the Legislative
Assembly, nor a Cabinet Committee.
SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the statement by the Minister for
Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang who heads the Sabah Rights Review
Committee, that there is “no united front on Sabah rights issue” because
of the absence of local parties at the recent committee hearing is an
admission that, without the strong input of Gabungan Sabah (United Sabah
Alliance) and local parties headed by experienced leaders, the committee
does not have the bite.
“By convention, the committee should be headed by a senior member of the
Cabinet with at least two other ministers ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, February 2, 2017: Tragic incidents at sea, which could have
been avoided, can be greatly reduced if Sabah has complete infrastructure
for its maritime economy and a culture of professionalism among a pool of
trained mariners backed by fully equipped maritime authorities.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said in
recent years, Sabah's maritime community has progressed from merely taking
part in leisure activities to business activities, especially tourism.
Therefore, he said Sabah is in need of more trained mariners, seafarers
and professional boat operators guided by a legal and licensing framework
with proper supervision and enforcement.
"Instead, the haphazard responses of Sabah's authorities to incidents
and accidents at sea show a lack of grip on maritime incidents. A healthy
maritime industry necessarily includes the business community who is well
versed on maritime matters ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
February 2, 2017: The boat capsize tragedy that claimed the lives of three
tourists from China was unfortunate and what is saddening about it was
that it occurred during the Chinese New Year celebration.
SAPP secretary general Datuk Richard Yong in a statement yesterday said,
“Our hearts go to the victims and their families. The loss of lives and
the traumatic experience would have long lasting effects on the tourists
and their families”.
He pointed out that the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation by the various
agencies including the marine, police and medical staffs have been working
tirelessly to locate those still missing and their efforts are indeed
highly commendable ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
January 25, 2017: There have been committees after committees, so many
that I have lost count. At the federal level, there is at least one
committee co-chaired by a Federal minister from Sarawak. We now hear about
a committee on “devolution” chaired by the Sabah State Secretary plus
another one chaired by a minister.
Why is there now a maze of committees that can only delay and bury the
issue of Sabah Rights? Since the 40% entitlement (a revenue right) is part
of the constitution, all that remains is for the Federal government to
implement it. That’s all. As I understand it, more than a year ago, a team
from Sabah had submitted to the Prime Minister cum Finance Minister a
memorandum on the 40% entitlement. That is already the highest level of
government. What is there left for a Sabah committee to do? Is this Sabah
Rights Review Committee another farce like the RCI Technical Committee
that has gone “missing in action”? ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
January 24, 2017: The opposition United Sabah Alliance (USA or Gabungan
Sabah) and its four State-based opposition parties declined to attend the
hearing session held by Sabah Rights Review Committee in joint letter to
the State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
USA said it is a grave self-contradiction that the Government, on one hand
disallowed the motions by elected assemblymen to discuss Sabah rights in
the State Legislative Assembly but now sees fit to invite opposition
parties, two of which are led by the same assemblymen, to the hearing
session on Jan. 26.
The letter was signed by USA Chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor, along with
the chairmen of the four parties, namely Star President Datuk Dr Jeffrey
Kitingan, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) President Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred
Bumburing, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Panglima
Yong Teck Lee and Parti Harapan Rakyat President Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim
Ukin ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
January 18, 2017: KOTA KINABALU - The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has
received an invitation from the office of Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo
Chee Kang to attend a closed-door hearing on Sabah rights under his Sabah
Rights Review Committee.
SAPP and its partners PCS and STAR in Gabungan Sabah headed by its
chairman Datuk Hj Mohd Noor Mansoor will announce their reply on the
invitation on January 23.
SAPP secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong We Kong asks if this latest
review committee chaired by Teo will suffer the same fate as the Royal
Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Technical Committee chaired by Deputy Chief
Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
“Two years ago, Datuk Mohd Noor, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Wilfred
Bumburing, Datuk Yong Teck Lee and other senior figures of the opposition
had met with the RCI Technical Committee chaired by Pairin in the presence
of the State Secretary, Federal Secretary, Attorney General, and the
directors of Immigration and National Registration Departments ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
January 18, 2017: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has lodged a police
report calling the police to investigate Free Sandakan Today (FST) Shaimon
Sarmon Jumadi over a statement posted in Facebook which allegedly intented
to smear and portray party president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee in
bad light with the intention to humiliate and bring him and the party in
disrepute before the impending General Election 14 which will be held this
year.
SAPP Supreme Councillor John Stephen, accompanied by few youth members of
the party, lodged the police report at the Kota Kinabalu police
headquarters at Karamunsing here yesterday.
‘This was yet another statement made by irresponsible persons to falsely
accuse and imply that SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee and the party
were involved in million ringgit of bribes during General Election 13 with
UMNO/BN to split votes in order to sabotage the Pakatan Harapan chances to
form the State Government ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, November 21, 2016: Gabungan Sabah (United Sabah Alliance)
is set to pave the way for better cooperation among local political
parties in the State with the establishment of the Gabungan Sabah Charter.
Gabungan Chairman Datuk Mohammad Noor Mansoor said he hoped the other
local political parties will open their hearts to build a stronger
coalition as the alliance is currently participated by Sabah Progressive
Party (SAPP), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Cinta Sabah
(PCS).
"We have talked to them (other parties) and we are constantly in
communication with them, but we cannot force anyone to join us.
"We must open our hearts and the other parties should open their hearts as
well. If they don't learn from the previous election, then I don't know
when they will learn," he said during the launching of the Gabungan Sabah
Charter at Hakka Hall, here, Sunday ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
November 16, 2016: A joint declaration was signed by leaders of Gabungan
Sabah (United Sabah Alliance) in Kota Kinabalu on 15 November 2016.
The three parties in the declaration agree to work together to identify
state and parliamentary seats that Gabungan Sabah intends to contest and
cooperate on the said seats distribution within Gabungan Sabah for the
forthcoming General Election.
More importantly, in adopting a common election manifesto, they consented
not to contest against each other at either state or parliamentary seats
...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
November 9, 2016: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the
authorities in both the Philippines and Malaysia owe it to the people of
both countries, especially the ex-hostages and their families of the
infamous April 2000 Sipadan kidnapping, to tell all about the
circumstances of that cross-border crime.
Specifically, in view of the recent and sudden allegations of Malaysian "pemimpin"
involvement in that kidnapping, as reported in the media, there is public
interests now to know whether it was true or not that Malaysians or
Malaysian leader(s) were involved as alleged.
In his statement, Yong, who is also Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)
President told that the news media at the time in 2000 showed that
Malaysian authorities had conducted extensive, inter-agency investigations
of an international dimension on the possible culprits behind that
international crime of which the victims are of several nationalities.
People would assume that the authorities would have found out who the real
culprits are and have taken action accordingly ...more
KOTA KINABALU,
October 24, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is committed in its
struggle with Gabungan Sabah (United Sabah Alliance) that it is planning
to allow some or even all of its candidates to use the symbols of other
political parties in the next general election ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
October 23, 2016: Newly registered Parti Warisan Sabah, and the yet-to-be
announced Parti Harapan, will have to deal with the United Sabah Alliance
(Gabungan Sabah) to work out an opposition pact for the coming 14th
general elections.
Leaders of Gabungan Sabah partners – Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Sabah STAR
and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) – made it clear Sunday that they would
not deal individually outside the coalition.
“If any of the new local parties want to work with us, it must be through
the alliance,’’ Bumburing, who is PCS president, told reporters at a press
conference held after the opening of the SAPP congress here Sunday.
“We (Gabungan) have worked for two years together. We cannot sacrifice
that to any new player. They have to respect our unity if they want to
work with us,’’ Bumburing who is also Tamparuli assemblyman, said ...more
KOTA KINABALU, October 21, 2016: The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)
will be holding its biennial delegates conference on October 23 at the
Dewan Hakka, here.
Held every two years, the local-based party's general meeting will
continue to focus on the party's way forward, this time, together with
other Sabah local parties, in fighting for the State's rights ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, October 17, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) shall be
holding its Biennial Delegates Conference for year 2016 on 23rd October
2016 (Sunday) at the Dewan Hakka, Tanjung Lipat.
All delegates (Note *also outstation delegates who are arriving one day
early) shall be treated to a
fellowship gathering at the White House, Taman Antarabangsa, Likas on 22nd October 2016 from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
with food and drinks.
Following herewith is the programme (In
Bahasa Malaysia) for attention of
all members and delegates ...more
(programme)
 KOTA
KINABALU, October 12, 2016: The alliance of Sabah local parties, Gabungan
Sabah, will launch its charter next month as it prepares for the coming
general elections, said Gabungan chairman, Datuk Hj. Mohd Noor Hj. Mansoor,
in a statement issued at Kota Kinabalu today after the 15th meeting of the Gabungan Council.
"This charter launch on November 20th at Kota Kinabalu follows the party
congresses of Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) on October 16th and Sabah
Progressive Party (SAPP) on October 23rd this month. Parti STAR has
already held its convention earlier. After the charter launch, several
youth camps will be organised to forge strong teams of campaigners
consisting of the 3 member parties at Keningau, Ranau and Kota Kinabalu.
Grass roots campaigns will be held far and wide at the constituencies that
are likely to be contested by Gabungan Sabah," explained Datuk Mohd Noor
who is a respected elder in Sabah politics ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, October 11, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President
Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the reported scale of corruption at the water
department has shocked people and people are now eager for answers on so
many issues as the probe continues to unfold by the day.
"There is a wise saying that "The sun, the moon and the truths shall not
be hidden long". Eventually, the truths will surface. And as the truths
and facts emerge, it is to be expected that people will be dismayed and
feel angry. Corruption, like the economy and security, will become a major
election issue," Yong added.
"But it is still too early at the current stage of the investigation to
assign political responsibility for the crisis at the Sabah Water
Department. Therefore, DAP's call for the resignation of the Sabah
Infrastructure Minister is premature. Indeed, people may also ask DAP
about the calls for the resignation of the Penang Chief Minister who is
currently facing corruption charges ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, September 24, 2016: "Hiew King Cheu is trying to defend the
indefensible proposed changes of electoral boundaries, especially between
Kapayan and Luyang state constituencies," says Sabah Progressive Party
(SAPP).
Its president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said that Hiew's excuse on behalf of the
Election Commission that the transfer of 3,641 voters at Lido from Kapayan
to Luyang so that there will be a balance of voters between the new
Kapayan (23,773 voters) and the new Luyang (23,992) is nonsense.
"If there is a need to balance voters, then the balance could be achieved
by increasing the voters in Likas which has only 15,008 voters and Api Api
(only 14,451). Since Lido will be taken out of Kapayan, the increase of
3,641 voters in the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary area could be shared out
with Likas and Api Api such that each of the three state constituencies
will have about 18,000 voters. But this is not favoured by the BN because
it would turn Api Api back into a BN black area," ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, September 3, 2016: Sabahans should put their heads together
regardless of political alliance and stand together when facing problems
which degrade Sabah.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Amde Sidik said it is
general knowledge that Sabah was a nation before it was demoted to a mere
state under Malaysia. "We are cheated and as a consequence, we are treated
like a baby instead of a partner. I wonder if this is not a problem?" he
said in a statement.
Amde said this realisation had motivated everyone, including those in the
Barisan Nasional, to start talking about the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and
Sabah's autonomy.
"I think we all should work towards recovering what we were denied and
look at the benefit and the costs.
Now even our history is hidden from our school children. Malaysians are
confused, what and where is merdeka?" he said ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, August 30, 2016: The pledge by the Prime Minister "to defend
Sabah's sovereignty if (Philippines President) Duterte" meets him sounds
hollow when little is done by Malaysia to counter the continuous
propaganda churned out in the Philippines media justifying the Philippines
claim to Sabah.
If the 100 million people in Philippines genuinely believe that their
claim to Sabah is legitimate, then it is to be expected that the
Philippines claim to Sabah remains a permanent threat to Sabah. Is this
what the federal government want? There is a prevailing view that the
external threat to Sabah in the form of the Philippines claim to Sabah is
what the federal authorities use to make Sabahans believe that Sabah will
always be dependent on the federal government for protection ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, August 28, 2016: Deputy president Melanie Chia says this is
"only the beginning" of rectifying the losses suffered since the state
ceded oil and gas rights to Petronas in 1974.
The Sabah state government has been urged to urgently negotiate with the
Federal Government and Petronas for the same type of concessions obtained
by Sarawak.
Melanie Chia, deputy president of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), said
Sabah should also demand that a Sabahan to be appointed to the Petronas
board of directors, ensure more Sabahans are employed at all levels and
the state allowed to take part in production sharing contracts.
Her statement came in response to Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s
announcement yesterday of an agreement with the Federal Government and
Petronas on seven major issues ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, August 17, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) said the
Malaysian politics has entered a fluid stage because of the emergence of a
well-funded Malay party led by former Umno strongman Tun Dr. Mahathir
Mohamed and other top ex-UMNO leader.
Its Information Chief Chong Pit Fah said despite brave denials to the
contrary, it is certain that this new party, like another new Sabah-based
party to be led by ex-UMNO Vice President, Datuk Shafie Aqdal, will draw
some support away from UMNO.
He said that in the case of Sabah, the latest split in UMNO could help
tilt the balance in favour of the opposition in mixed areas such as
Tanjong Aru, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kudat and Beaufort. This depends
on whether Datuk Shafie Aqdal will align with Gabungan Sabah (United Sabah
Alliance) or not.
Two week ago, Gabungan Sabah has openly invited Datuk Shafie Aqdal to join
hands with Gabungan Sabah. Gabungan Sabah consist of Sabah-based parties
Party Cinta Sabah (PCS), Solidarity Tanah Air Sabah (STAR), SAPP and NGOs,
led by respected political veteran Datuk Mohd. Noor Mansoor ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, August 16, 2016 (Datuk Yong Teck Lee): The absence of the Sabah
Chief Minister at a major security event in Kuala Lumpur last week casts a
doubt on what the priorities are of the Sabah Government in protecting
Sabah from external and internal threats.
Of direct relevance and importance to Sabah's well being is the security
situation in the Southern Philippines. Yet, the Chief Minister, who is
also the Chairman of the Sabah State Security Committee, had missed the
launching of "The Implementation Phase of the Mindanao Peace Agreement
Between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front" last Saturday at Kuala Lumpur. Did the Chief Minister have other
more important duties at the time? ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, Aug 11, 2016: The Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) objection to
the proposed barter trade between Labuan and the Philippines has nothing
to do with the Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) but everything to
do with the mistreatment of Sabah by the Federal authorities.
Its President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, in replying to a statement made by LCCC
Chairman Datuk Wong Kii Yii, said his statement was to query why the
Government imposed a security ban on barter trade from Sabah to the
Southern Philippines.
"Yet, the Government is
going to reopen barter trade, reportedly for businessmen from Peninsular
Malaysia, at Labuan.
I have every right to comment on such security and trade matters," he said
here, Tuesday.
 KOTA KINABALU, August 4, 2016: The ban on barter trade between Sabah and
Southern Philippines has been mentioned by the Sabah government as the
reason why hostages were released due to increased prices of daily
essential goods that used to be supplied from Sabah to the Southern
Philippines.
This being the case, the imminent opening of barter trade at Labuan by
businessmen from Peninsula Malaysia will deal severe double blow to Sabah.
First, the so-called "security ban on barter trade" from Sabah's east
coast would be rendered totally meaningless. Then, the permanent loss of
the Philippines market for Sabah goods would deal an irreparable loss to
the Sabah economy. The negative consequences to the Sabah economy is that
even if cross-border security were restored in the future, Sabah would
have forever lost our market at the Philippines. Sabah's traditional
barter trade would be taken over by new players from outside Sabah ...more
KOTA
KINABALU, July 21, 2016: Datuk Yong Teck Lee: "Another cross-border
kidnapping, this time in the vicinity of the infamous location of the 2013
Tanduo incursion, off the heavily guarded Felda plantations.
In fact, this is the "ground zero" that is supposed to be the most secure
part of ESSZONE. And yet cross border bandits have managed to get away
with another five Malaysian hostages. Sadly, this casts a crisis of
confidence on the capability of our security forces.
Having imposed night curfew, banned barter trade, put in security assets,
launched a helicopter base at Lahad Datu, relocated fighter jets to Tawau
and having spent hundreds of millions of Ringgit, the menace of
cross-border kidnapping has continued unabated ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, July 12, 2013: An international tribunal at Holland is
expected to rule on an arbitration case brought by the Philippines against
China concerning the South China Sea Tuesday 5pm today.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee cited that
the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration might shed some light
on Malaysia`s maritime territorial limits in one or more of three ways:
1. To what extent is the maritime territorial limits of the Philippines
bordering Sabah;
2. Specifically, how will the "court" rule on the Philippines claim to the
sea at Sabah`s north-west which belongs to Malaysia, and
3. The consequential implication on the Philippines Claim to Sabah ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, June 29, 2016: Don`t blame others if the RCI Technical committee
had failed in its duty to the people of Sabah, said Edward Dagul, SAPP
Deputy President yesterday in a statement in response to the statement
made by PBS Assistant Secretary General, Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan.
The statement made by Datuk Herbert, reported in a local daily, where he
questioned the reluctance by the Federal authorities to implement the RCI
recommendations was simply to distract the public from apportioning blame
to Tan Sri Pairin, Said Edward.
First and foremost, it is the duty of the RCI`s Technical committee, under
the chair of Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, to make known the committee`s
findings and recommendations that had been submitted to the Main Committee
or otherwise ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, May 21, 2016: The three-prong measures to curb illegal
immigration announced by the Deputy Prime minister cum Home Affairs
Minister during his latest visit to Sabah sadly has again missed out the
critical issue of the "export" of illegals from the Philippines to Sabah,
says Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong
Teck Lee.
He said the Deputy Prime Minister who listed the three-prong strategy as
enforcement, guarding the maritime borders and resolving the dubious
documents issued to unqualified immigrants in Sabah has completely missed
out the fact that the source of the security woes and illegal immigration
into Sabah is in the Philippines.
"If the source of the problems is not fixed, then our preventive actions
are not sustainable," ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, April 19, 2016:
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Edward Dagul said Parti
Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Secretary-General Datuk Johnny Mositun's statement
that the Technical Working Committee on Illegal Immigrants report has been
completed and handed over to the central committee is new.
He said if the matter is already at the implementation stage than why was
United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Acting President Datuk Seri
Wilfred Madius Tangau left out of the loop over such development.
"It was reported on another article yesterday that Tangau had requested
that a State BN meeting be convened as soon as possible to discuss the
finding of the Technical Working Committee chaired by the Deputy Chief
Minister, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan," ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, April 15, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has urged
PBS Leaders to walk the talk in resolving the illegal immigrants problem
in Sabah and not merely playing to the gallery.
"What the people of Sabah expect after the RCI report came out in 2014,
are affirmative action to be taken to rid Sabah of this perennial problem,
not more rhetoric and definitely not from a senior Federal Minister.
SAPP Deputy President, Edward Dagul was responding to PBS Vice President,
Datuk Daniel Kinsik’s contention that there was nothing wrong in Datuk Dr
Maximus urging both State and Federal government to recall the identity
cards as part of the steps to resolve the illegal immigrant problem in
Sabah.
"The call made may be fine but when it is from Dr Max himself, it can be
likened to making a call to workers urging the management for more pay,
when in fact; he is part and parcel of the management, explained Edward.
"The cabinet is surely the appropriate forum to discuss such issue and
since PBS is currently well represented at both Federal and State cabinet,
it is therefore inconceivable to suggest that these PBS leader do not know
what the current government’s intentions are, with respect to resolving
the illegal immigrant problem ...more
KOTA KINABALU, April 13, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) questioned
the call made by Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili in urging the State and Federal
Governments to recall the Identity Cards or MyKads as insulting Sabahans’
intelligence.
In response to the news report yesterday, Edward Dagul, SAPP Deputy
President, remarked that when making the call, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
had conveniently forgotten that he is currently a senior minister in the
Federal Government?
It is difficult for Sabahans to believe that Datuk Dr Maximus had not
consulted with his Federal Cabinet members, especially the Prime Minister
to recall back the MyKads in Sabah as an exercise to rid Sabah of illegal
immigrants before making the call via the press media.
“Are we to believe that as a senior minister within the federal cabinet,
he cannot directly consult the Prime Minister on this? Is Datuk Dr Maximus
telling his constituency members that the Prime Minister has chosen to
ignore Sabah’s illegal immigrant quagmire?" asked Edward ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, April 8, 2016: The source of cross border crimes at Sabah's
East Coast is at the Philippines, says former Chief Minister Datuk Yong
Teck Lee.
He added that the lairs of these bandits is at the Sulu Sea islands and
Mindanao. The environment in which these bandits thrive is weak
government, corruption-riddled security forces, proliferation of weapons,
breaches of peace agreements and poverty and injustices in the
Philippines.
"Hence, the long term, sustainable solutions to the security nightmare at
Sabah's east coast lay at the Philippines. Malaysia, and now Indonesia,
being victims of Filipino cross border crimes, should use all leverages
against the Philippine government to eliminate the dens, the networks, the
fast boats (used for kidnappings) and the kidnapping syndicates. The
Philippines must be made to realise that, otherwise, they will pay a heavy
price for their bad behaviour as a bad neighbour. After all, with the help
of the Americans, the Philippines have the resources. Other than the
on-going Balikatan war exercises between American and Filipino militaries,
the American had for years provided training, equipment and support to the
Philippines at the Philippines's Southern Command at Zamboanga ...more
KOTA KINABALU, March 31, 2016: The Sabah Government should vehemently
reject the proposed gazetting of Sabah's prized tourist assets under the
National Heritage Conservation Act 2005 because such a federal gazette is
a back door grabbing of Sabah's heritage and putting Sabah's tourism and
natural assets under Putrajaya control, said former chief minister Datuk
Yong Teck Lee.
He warned that in future, the management of these Sabah assets would be
subject to federal interference.
"The correct law to gazette Sabah's nature and cultural assets is the Sabah
Heritage Conservation Enactment 1997. It is the same Sabah law that has
ensured protection of the Likas Bird Sanctuary (KK Wetlands), Padang
Merdeka, Chong Tain Vun City Park, Atkinson Clock Tower and other cultural
and natural assets of Sabah. Sabah already has our own heritage
conservation law eight years before the federal government got theirs ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, March 6, 2016: The Citizens' Declaration, dubbed "anti-Najib
declaration", gives new hopes that finally change can be achieved in the
near future. But it is sad for Sabahans and Sarawakians that the
declaration yesterday by the nation's ex-prime minister, ex-deputy prime
minister, ex-ministers and all sorts of top opposition and civil society
leaders have forgotten completely the plight of the Borneo territories. As
a result, the Citizens Declaration has become an entirely "Malayan
affair", says Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee in a
statement.
He added that other than calling for the repeal of recent laws that
oppress the people, the declaration should have also called for the
abolition unfair policies imposed on Sabah such as the cabotage policy and
the Malayanisation of the civil service ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, February 29, 2016: More than 200 people took part in a
rally on Sunday to protest against the import of 1.5 million Bangladeshi
workers and press for the release of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)
Technical Committee Report on illegal immigrants in Sabah.
The peaceful rally went ahead despite the Government's decision about two
weeks ago to freeze the recruitment of all foreign workers.
Rally organisers said the decision does not guarantee that Bangladeshi
workers would not be brought into the country.
Among those who took part in the one-hour rally were Sabah Progressive
Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS)
President Dr Nicholas Guntobon, Sabah Star Chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey
Kitingan and United Sabah Alliance Chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, February 14, 2016:
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) reiterates its stand in insisting that none of the 1.5 million
Bangladeshi workers be allowed into Sabah and that the PTI problems
plaguing the State be resolved urgently. The call made by Edward Dagul,
SAPP Deputy President, in a press statement yesterday, was in response to
the recent comments by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi in defending the government’s decision to recruit 1.5 million
workers from Bangladesh.
Further describing the move as unfathomable to point of ridiculous, Edward
points out that there are so many factors that needs due consideration
before even contemplating such a move.
“We are talking about 1.5 million people, not a mere 1,500 workers. For
starters, can they speak Bahasa Melayu or English? The societal and
cultural difference between Bangladeshis and us are too many. I fear that
their vast presence may negatively impact our already seemingly fragile
Malaysian social fabric.” ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, February 13, 2016: Lower gas price is not a valid reason
for the cancellation of the Lahad Datu Regasification Terminal which could
have helped alleviate the energy woes of Sabah's east coast region.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the
project was approved in 2012 and scheduled to be completed in 2015 and by
the time oil and gas prices began to fall in the middle of last year, the
project would have been completed or near completion.
"In any case, why would lower gas prices affect the Regasification
Terminal investment? Would not lower gas prices make it more viable for
our energy producer to produce cheaper electricity?" he said in a
statement.
Yong added that lower gas prices only means that Petronas Gas makes less
profits from Sabah's oil and gas ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, February
4, 2016: Welcoming the lunar new year is the one event that connects
peoples of Chinese descent all over the world. This has been going on for
a few thousand years without stop and without end. In today's global
village, the celebration of Xin Chun, the new spring, has become visibly
global. People of all cultures watch with awe the extent of the Xin Chun
celebrations. In China, one hundred and more million people make the trip
home for family reunion, making Xin Chun the biggest annual human
migration ever in the world.
Outside China, in smaller numbers spread far and wide, Chinese people will
similarly and dutifully celebrate this Xin Chun like the few thousand Xin
Chuns before, whether in peace or in turbulence ...more
 As
the new lunar year draws near, it is time of the year again for Malaysians
of the Chinese decent to prepare and usher in the new year wishing that
this new year will bring each and everyone in the family good health and
great prosperity.
Like every Malaysians, we too wish that the year of the
Golden Monkey will bring us hope for greater PEACE, HARMONY and
PROSPERITY!
Since the implementation of the GST in April last year and the
depreciation of the ringgit, we have encountered rising costs of living
and those of us doing business have to cope with the rising cost of doing
business and live with dwindling margins ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, February 2, 2016:
Multi-lateral trade pacts are always difficult to negotiate. It took super
power America ten years to get 11 other countries on board. Some say that
the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is an American agenda to re-assert
American leadership over the Trans-Pacific economies to counter the
growing China influence.
But, unlike what is portrayed by our MP for Kota Kinabalu, to join TPPA is
not to choose between America and China. Malaysia, like the other nine
members of ASEAN, is already covered by the China-Asean Free Trade Area
(China-AFTA) that took effect in 2010. The healthy trade (RM210 billion in
2014) between Malaysia and China will not be affected by TPPA. Our own
free trade pact, the Asean FTA, took effect in 1992. Ever since 1992 trade
tariffs among Asean countries (and ever since 2010 with China, India and
Japan) have been on a downward trend. 90% of trade is now zero-rated ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, January 27, 2016: It is bewildering that a few days after
the arrest of a suspected terrorist in Johor, the Sabah Security Committee
is still in the dark about the true identity of the “man from Sabah”
detained along with six others in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah Progressive
Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee commented in a statement
yesterday.
Yong added that in spite of having arrested the terror suspect, the
authorities are still not even sure if he is a Sabahan or a foreigner with
dubious document or whatever.
"I would have thought that, before the police arrested the terror suspect,
the police would have uncovered his activities, and therefore his
identity, before nabbing him.
He said in any case, “Sabah ICs” for genuine Malaysians in Sabah would
have provided the relevant background information about the man, his birth
place and his home town or village ...more
 KOTA
KINABALU, January 23, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is forging
ahead with new alliance in the New Year.
"We are no longer operating alone for the year 2016," said SAPP president
Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee during the party's 22nd Anniversary
dinnere at a seafood restaurant near here on Thursday night.
Yong said the New Year (2016) is the year for the United Sabah Alliance
(USA) and that two political parties comprising Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS)
headed by Dr Nicholas Games Guntobon, who was a practising medical doctor,
and STAR as well as several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had
joined the alliance ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, January 15, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy
president, Edward Dagul, today lodged a missing person report at the
Karamunsing Police station, here, referring to the key witness of the
trial of the armed intrusion at Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
According to the news, the prosecution has failed to locate and subpoena
key witness and the last prosecution witness, SAC Zulkifli Hj Abd Aziz to
give evidence at the trial.
SAC Zuklifli Hj Abd Aziz, who was the assistant chief of Special Branch of
the Malaysian Police (PDRM), reported to have “served in Sabah for a long
period, had great and specific knowledge on Sulu sultanate and had
personal contacts in Southern Philippines and had handled all kidnapping
cases in Sabah in terms of intelligence for the past 15 years and led the
negotiations between Malaysia authorities and the Sulu gunmen’s leader in
Kampung Tanduo.
Edward, in his statement, finds it amazing that the prosecution cannot
find Encik Zulkifli who was a senior police officer who had retired only
in November 2014 ...
more
 KOTA
KINABALU, January 9, 2016: It is time for the Deputy Chief Minister and
Chairman of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) working technical
committee on illegal immigrants in Sabah, Tan Sri Datuk Pairin Joseph
Pairin Kitingan, not to be evasive and to come clean with the actual
problems he is facing in completing the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)
working technical committee’s report.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Edward Dagul, opined in a
press statement issued Friday that the whole point of having the working
technical committee is so that all can be revealed. As it turned out, what
Pairin had disclosed in yesterday`s statement defeated the very purpose of
the original objective. But since Tan Sri Pairin had admitted to shoulder
some of the blame for the delay of the working technical committee’s
report, then he should further explain the statement that there was
“something blocking” his committee’s progress in completing the report.
“Pairin’s statement suggests that there are elements interfering in his
committee’s work. Now, if this is true, then he should report this matter
to the relevant authorities, including the main committee ...more
 KOTA KINABALU, January 7, 2016: The failure of the prosecution to produce
the star witness of the ongoing trial of the alleged Sulu gunmen intrusion
at Tanduo is a cause for concern, said former chief minister Datuk Yong
Teck Lee.
According to news reports, the prosecution in the trial of 30 accused
persons, who are alleged to be involved in the February 2013 armed
intrusion at Tanduo, Lahad Datu has failed to locate and subpoena one SAC
Zulkifli Hj. Abd Aziz, who was at the time, the assistant head of the
Sabah Special Branch of the police force, to give evidence at the trial.
SAC Zulkifli is reported to have "served in Sabah for a long period, had
great and specific knowledge on Sulu sultanate and had personal contacts
in Southern Philippines" and "had handled all kidnapping cases in Sabah in
terms of intelligence for the past 15 years" and "led the negotiations
between Malaysian authorities and the Sulu gunmen's leader in Kampong
Tanduo." ...more
 KOTA KINABALU,
January 7, 2016: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has asked Tan Sri Pairin
to dissolve the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Technical Working
Committee on illegal immigrants in Sabah.
The call was made after the Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman of the RCI
Technical Working Committee, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, vowed, yet
again to the media yesterday that the report of the committee will be
ready by this year.
"It is hard for the people of Sabah to accept that the report takes more
than a year to complete”, said Edward Dagul, SAPP`s Deputy President.
“This is not a new issue. These illegal immigrant problems and other
associated issues have been there for decades. Tan Sri Pairin, being a
former Chief Minister, should have all these facts and figures at his
fingertips or at least within his committee members reach” added Edward.
The Working Technical Committee was set up to compile feedbacks and to
provide recommendations on how to resolve this illegal immigrant problem.
This report would then be forwarded to the main committee. Tan Sri Pairin
had earlier said that the report would be ready for submission in July
2015, which did not happen. He later reportedly said that it would be
ready in December 2015, which again turned out to be another empty
promise! ...more
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