The Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) will not indulge in ‘reverse frogging' and rejoin BN after the next general election.

Besides, the party is confident of seizing the reins of power in Kota Kinabalu in alliance with other opposition parties including the Pakatan Rakyat.

david chong sapp The party's stand was announced by supreme council member David Chong (right) in response to concerns raised by the Sabah DAP in the local media.

However Sapp has also ruled out a written undertaking on ‘reverse frogging' as demanded by the local chapter of the Peninsular Malaysia-based DAP.

The Sabah DAP had cited a corruption case hanging over Sapp Chief Yong Teck Lee's head as virtually paving the way for ‘reverse frogging'.

"The question does not arise at all," assured Chong. "Besides the Sabah DAP cannot decide on policy. All their decisions have to be made (by the leadership) in Kuala Lumpur."

There is widespread fear of "reverse frogging" following speculation on the actual role of Sapp's two MPs among the 15 from Sabah and six from Sarawak in the failed Sept 16 takeover of the federal government.

Chong did not touch on Sabah DAP's allegation that Sapp's pullout from the BN on Sept 17, 2008 was initiated on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's advice that it would trigger the opposition alliance's takeover of the federal government.

This has further fueled Sabah DAP's suspicion that Sapp is capable of "reverse frogging" to get back into the BN as it refuses to join PR.

Autonomy favoured

Sapp's approach now, according to its secretary-general Richard Yong We Kong, favours the autonomy from Kuala Lumpur on local issues and the administration of the state by local parties in compliance with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement.

NONE The full story is yet to emerge but it appears that the failure to interest any defectors in Peninsular Malaysia was one of the two main factors for the failure of Sept 16. The other is attributed to PKR vice-president Azmin Ali taking charge of the 21 Sabah and Sarawak defectors from local strongman Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan (left) .

Chong meanwhile thinks that the idea of reverse frogging came up due to the fear among Sabah DAP leaders that Pakatan will agree that the Sapp can contest a substantial number of the state and parliament seats in the next general elections.

Sapp initially indicated that it intends to contest 40 of the 60 state seats but now is thinking of 30 state seats confirmed to contest, 20 seats under review to contest and 10 seats where it has ruled out a reasonable chance of winning.

Of the 25 Parliament seats, Sapp intends to contest in 14 constituencies. 

Not in same league

Sabah DAP chair Hiew King Cheu was specifically reminded that he was in no position to dictate to anybody in Sabah. "He was appointed to the DAP central leadership after he became Kota Kinabalu MP," pointed out Chong. "Only the bigwigs in the opposition parties can take a stand on Sapp. He's not in the same league."

NONE Chong added that Sapp would especially welcome input from de facto Pakatan leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang, PAS Spiritual Advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat (right) , PAS president Hadi Awang and Pakatan chairperson Zaid Ibrahim.

The party hopes that Lim in particular would rein in the local chapter of his party "which appears to be hell bent on wrecking any chances of a pact to take on the BN".

The Sapp leader also reminded Hiew that if not for his party, the Sabah DAP could not have possibly won the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat. Hiew edged through by a razor-thin 106 votes in a three-cornered fight with Parti Bersatu Sabah for BN, and PKR in Mar 2008. Sapp was then still a member of the BN.

Sapp vice-president Amde Sidik also said Hiew did not represent the majority of the views of voters in KK.

"Hiew's views cannot be accepted as representing anyone," warned Amde. "Imagine one day if he is given more power. He will complicate things due to his ignorance."

Matters came to a head in the Sabah opposition after Hiew warned Sapp in recent days that either it was with Pakatan or not.

Sabah DAP first began taking potshots at Sapp several months ago after the latter's Information Chief Chong Pit Fah told Malaysiakini that Hiew did not speak up at all in Parliament.

He had been expected to at least speak up on Sabah issues. Hiew immediately took offence and has been on the warpath against Sapp ever since that disclosure on his ‘shoddy performance in Parliament'.