SAPP exits PN, seeks clarity on GRS-Harapan cooperation

Summary:

• The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has officially withdrawn from the Perikatan Nasional coalition, citing disagreements over PN's intention to contest in the upcoming Sabah state election.

• SAPP's stance aligns with the Malaysia Agreement 1963, advocating that all 73 state constituencies should only be contested by local Sabah parties, free from the influence of national parties.

The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) today announced its withdrawal from Perikatan Nasional, citing its dissatisfaction with the coalition's intention to contest in the next Sabah state election.

Its president Yong Teck Lee announced the decision in a statement released to the media earlier today.

"SAPP has officially withdrawn from PN, based on a decision reached in the SAPP supreme council meeting on Nov 23. PN headquarters has been informed of this decision last month.

"It was clear that PN intends to contest in the upcoming Sabah state election, which is against SAPP's position and principle that all 73 Sabah state seats should only be contested by local-based parties.

"This position taken by SAPP is in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Sabah autonomy. We cannot compromise our commitment to ensure that the Sabah state legislative assembly remains under the administration of local-based parties and free from the influence of peninsula-based parties.

"But PN had been pushing for candidates from Malaya parties to contest directly in Sabah state election, which directly contradicts this basic principle of ours," he said in the statement.

Adding further, Yong, whose party is also aligned with Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan), said the party has proposed to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest all 73 Sabah state seats.

This, he stressed, is an important move to reflect the aspirations of Sabahans and to fight for Sabah rights under MA63.

Meanwhile, Yong said that as there are fewer than 10 months before the Sabah election must be called, SAPP urged the GRS supreme council to resolve any uncertainties over its ties with Pakatan Harapan.

”These matters must be clarified before the new year so that Sabahans can make the right decision on their political future based on accurate information.

”As a reminder, regardless of what might be said by Sabah DAP or Sabah Harapan leaders, the final decision will still be made by the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

”As we can see, Harapan and BN have strengthened their ties, without taking into account GRS’ goodwill towards Harapan,” said Yong.

No national parties in Sabah polls

SAPP is the opposition coalition's sole component party in Sabah.

Formerly a part of the BN coalition, SAPP was affiliated with both PN and GRS.

SAPP had been against the idea of national parties contesting in the Sabah state election.

Yong, who is a former Sabah chief minister, had in September called on PN to stay out of the next state election.

However, this was met with a stern response from PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, whose party holds the biggest number of parliamentary seats in their coalition.

"It will be up to us to decide. Not them," the Marang MP said.

Will Sabah graft scandal nudge 'kingmaker' Harapan to pick sides?

PBS to discuss role in GRS at 39th delegates conference

'It's up to us,' Hadi tells SAPP on contesting Sabah polls

Ex-Sabah CM wants national parties to stay out of state polls