Gerakan today chided ruling coalition Barisan Nasional following yesterday's departure of one its component members Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp), asking it to do more for Sabah and Sarawak.

Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon said that his party leaders were "saddened and concerned" by Sapp's departure, adding that BN should have seen the Sabah party's "grievances and unhappiness" a long time ago.

gerakan youth and women agm 010906 koh tsu koon "(These are) the two largest, more resource-endowed yet less developed states. Politically, these two states are crucial to BN's continued strength and stability," he said in a statement today.

The two states' perennially unresolved issues include poverty and imbalanced development, illegal immigrants, infrastructure shortages and revenue sharing.

"It is important that the BN-led federal and state governments re-double concerted efforts in addressing these issues and concerns," stressed Koh.

Reform BN to remain relevant

Sapp's exit was long expected - since it decided to call for a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister and BN chairperson Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in June.

However, an unruffled Abdullah has described the rebel party as "a problem in the coalition as they have been a nuisance".

While the proposed 2009 Budget had substantial allocations for both Sabah and Sarawak - totaling RM1billion in infrastructure upgrades - Koh felt the government should not delay the disbursing of funds.

"Special allocations were made in the the budget, but the challenge now is efficient delivery and effective implementation," said Koh.

He further urged BN - all of its component parties - to keep on reforming itself, so that it can "remain relevant and regain confidence and support of the people".