SABAHAN MUST BE MORE ASSERTIVE IN VOICING OUT THEIR CONCERN & PROTECTING COMMON INTERESTS

Stand together in pursuing common interests of Sabah – UBF

KOTA KINABALU Jan 5, 2012: United Borneo Front (UBF) chairman Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has urged fellow Sabahans, especially Sabahan leaders, to stand together irrespective of their political ideologies when it comes to the common interests of Sabah.

“I am beginning to see this happening on the issue of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) and Project IC as well as on illegal immigration.

“Sabah leaders must be more assertive in voicing out their concerns and in protecting state interests,

said Jeffrey, who will lead the Sabah Chapter of the Sarawak-based State Reform Party (STAR).

Jeffrey, who has been without a party since he quit Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) a year ago, will launch STAR Sabah at the KDCA complex in Penampang tomorrow.

In a statement yesterday, he also urged that Sabahan leaders to be more persistent and consistent to ensure that what is being voiced out is resolved one way or the other.

He said the many statements made by political parties and leaders of both the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition in querying the establishment of the RCI were mere rhetoric.

“We must make sure it is done. There is no better time to be assertive and persistent than it is now when the political situation in the country is in favour of Sabah and Sarawak as the kingmakers.

“Sabah and Sarawak leaders should, therefore, unite and leverage their positions to resolve outstanding issues with the Federal Government, including restoration of the Borneo states’ lost rights and autonomy,” he said.

Jeffrey contended that the setting up of the RCI, by itself, will not produce the desired solutions if Sabah leaders do not actively participate, engage and suggest alternative solutions.

“The Project IC, the unexplained population growth, the padded electoral rolls are not mere Sabah problems. They are national problems of huge magnitude involving the security of the nation, our sovereignty, our peace and the survival of the natives.

“It must be faced head-on and resolved by peace-loving, patriotic Malaysians, failing which we would have only ourselves to blame.

“Foreigners and illegal immigrants are not to be blamed as they are merely recipients abused by the powers that be. They are merely pawns in the scheme of things.

“Whoever is or are responsible for this mess must eventually be brought to book and face the full consequences of the law,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey issued an open invitation to Sabahans to attend the official launch of STAR Sabah.