“HOW DOES HE EXPECT TO EXPAND HIS INFLUENCE IN SABAH WHEN HE LOST AT HIS OWN PLACE, HIS OWN STATE …” - LAJIM

Gerakan should focus on peninsula – Lajim

KOTA KINABALU Oct 22, 2011: It is preferred that the Chinese community in Sabah are represented by existing Chinese leaders from MCA, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), according to Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin.

“There are many candidates from these parties who are qualified to be fielded in the coming general elections and I believe they will do equally good and would serve the people well,” he said.

“So what is the basis of a new party coming to Sabah and express its wish to help the state when we have proven ourselves in the general election in 2008.

“I am not saying that Gerakan cannot stand in the election because it is their right, but we are one big family and they should give that some consideration,” he said when commenting on Kalabakan Member of Parliament Datuk Ghapur Salleh’s recent call to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak not to field Gerakan candidates in Sabah in the coming general elections.

Lajim said Gerakan should focus on winning back the opposition-held seats in Peninsular Malaysia for Barisan Nasional, especially Penang, instead of worrying about which candidate to be fielded in Sabah, he said.

He said this would be more meaningful as it would ensure a bigger win for BN in the coming election.

“How does he expect to expand his influence in Sabah when he lost at his own place, his own state … I think their priority should be focused in these areas,” Lajim said in apparent reference to Gerakan president Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

“Sabah will have no problem in winning but although we may win a big majority, it would still have some effect on BN if other states like Penang are lost,” he said after presenting excellence awards, medals of honour and retirement certificates in conjunction with the closing of Innovation and Creative Group Convention here yesterday.

Lajim said the people should not be alarmed by Ghapur’s views as he was just trying to ensure victory for BN in the coming general elections.

Ghapur, who was debating the national Budget 2012 in Parliament on Monday, asserted that Gerakan was a liability to BN and it would be a crying shame if Gerakan candidates were chosen to contest in Sabah.

He said the party, which had been uprooted in its home ground Penang, would have no relevancy and impact in Sabah.

The Prime Minister talked about winnable candidates, therefore the need to have a winnable political party, he said, adding that Gerakan was not a winnable party.

The outspoken former deputy chief minister also claimed that all elected representatives from Sabah who joined Gerakan were ‘frogs’ who did so because they wanted to keep their posts in the State Cabinet.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is also the Sabah BN chief, later said the statement was Ghapur’s personal view.

Musa said BN in Sabah did not have any problems, as all the component parties shared a good relationship.

“What is important is that we will work together to ensure a huge victory for BN in the coming general election,” he said.

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What Ghapur said is true – LDP

“We must face the truth no matter how bitter it is. We have to take the bull by the horn and deal with the situation responsibly.

“Whilst it is important for BN to have a winnable candidate, it is equally vital that the winnable candidate must stand under a political party that is winnable to the mind, soul and heart of the people,”

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) publicity chief, Albert Kok