PARLIAMENT An Umno MP today told Putrajaya not to send ministers to Sabah to threaten its people who are sympathetic to a movement calling for the state's secession from the Malaysian federation.

 

Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) said instead, the government should look at their grouses which led them to advocate such a cause.

 

"We cannot take them lightly because they are made up of intellectuals. Perhaps they think there are some things Sabah are not getting, that Sabah and Sarawak are not getting its fair share.

 

"We see ministers coming here, and making threats to take action against them. This is the old way. We are developed now, we don't want threats.

 

"We want the federal government to listen to what is their problem, do not just assume everything they say is wrong," said the vocal lawmaker.

Bung Mokthar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) ( left ) then said such secessionist groups were a small minority and they were being incited by the opposition.
 
However, Abdul Ghapur disagreed, saying that these people were well-educated people.
 
"They are intellectuals, how can intellectuals be easily provoked (kena cucuk)," he said.

Using holes for toilets

 
Abdul Ghapur stressed that he did not want to see Sabah separated from the federation nor a referendum on whether the state should opt for secession, but said Putrajaya must sympathise with its people's problems.
 
He added that until present day, people in places such as Kalabakan, Kinabatangan and even Beluaran have to ease themselves in holes instead of a proper toilet.
 
"Are we not ashamed when people outside look at us? They say you've been independent for 51 years through Malaysia but this is what you get?" he said.
 
At this, Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan), who is a fellow Sabahan, warned Abdul Ghapur that his comments were "dangerous".
 
"This statement is very dangerous, Kalabakan, what you are debating is dangerous," he said.
 
However, Abdul Ghapur brushed off the warning, stating that he would be responsible for his own words.
 
"I have been in Parliament for three terms and four terms in the state assembly, in total for 35 years, I will not longer be a fool. No more," he rebutted.
 
Darell Leiking (PKR-Penampang) ( left ) then asked if based on these grouses against the BN, the ruling coalition should be ousted from power.
 
However, Abdul Ghapur said he was entitled to criticise BN but that did not mean he wanted a change in government.
 
"We do not want to change our clothes for 'ini kali lah' (DAP election slogan), it's not like that.
 
"We want to improve things from within because we want BN to remain in power until kiamat dunia (the end of the world)," he said.

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