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The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Tackle Sabah's issues instead of bickering over seats, SAPP tells parties
KOTA KINABALU: As political parties scramble for seats ahead of the Sabah state election, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has called them out for seeming to ignore issues affecting the people. The party said voters deserve to hear concrete plans on autonomy, land reforms, and Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) – not just endless negotiations over who gets to contest where. SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said many Sabahans, himself included, still have no idea what some political parties and leaders are fighting for. ALSO READ: Sabah polls: State parties risk becoming 'dogs chasing cars', says SAPP president 'So far, the politicians talk only about seats, seats and more seats. How about talking about the issues for the coming Sabah elections? "Don't be like dogs chasing cars without any idea of what to do after catching up with the car," he reiterated in a statement on Tuesday (May 27). Yong, who was Sabah chief minister from 1996 to 1998, asked if these parties were willing to take firm stands on issues in the state, such as issuing Sabah identity cards to bona fide Malaysian citizens and the demand for Labuan to be returned to Sabah. He also highlighted the lack of political will to fight for the restoration of one-third of parliamentary seat representation to Sabah and Sarawak, saying this was fundamental to restoring balance within the federation. He further criticised the silence of major political blocs, including those in Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, on the 40% net revenue entitlement and the Territorial Sea Act 2012. ALSO READ: Introduce a 'Sabah IC' to settle citizenship issues for good, says ex-CM Yong 'Which party will fearlessly champion that the 40% net revenue claim is RM2.6bil per annum?' he asked. Yong also questioned the continued reliance on Peninsular Malaysian companies for infrastructure and services in Sabah. 'Is Sabah so incapable of making simple things like kiosks? What do we have KKIP (Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park) for?' he said. He urged political leaders to stop treating Sabah as a battleground for seats and instead prove they are serious about reforms that matter to ordinary Sabahans.
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
MyKasih puts pressure on Sabah retailers - SAPP
Alex Soon TAWAU (May 26): The federal government's MyKasih aid programme, while aimed at helping Low-income groups ease their living costs, has unintentionally increased the operational pressure on Sabah's local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially retailers, due to restrictions on product categories and merchant qualifications. Pointing this out in a statement on Monday, Alex Soon, Supreme Councillor Tawau Sri Tanjong CLC Chairman, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), said under the programme, except for eggs, fresh agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits, and meat cannot be purchased using the subsidy. Each eligible household is entitiled for RM50 to RM200 per month allowance, and the programme will continue until the end of this year. Its impact is wide-ranging and long-term. More critically, Alex said only large retail chains are equipped with the systems required to support the MyKad cashless credit system. The vast majority of local SMEs are unable to participate. 'This has directly caused small retailers to lose customers and suffer sharp drops in sales. Many grocery shops are unable to sell even basic goods like rice, cooking oil, and milk for an entire month, leading to severe inventory backlogs,' he said. Despite this, he said the Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE) has yet to respond or propose any solution, and has instead been making frequent official overseas visits. This has triggered concern and dissatisfaction within the industry. While the MyKasih programme has indeed benefitted vulnerable groups, he said its implementation has also eroded the market share of local SMEs and disrupted the existing supply chain ecosystem. 'This kind of arrangement livens up already-thriving hypermarkets, while marginalising small retailers.' Alex said MIDE must urgently face this issue and coordinate with the relevant federal agencies to ensure SMEs are not excluded from aid policies. At the same time, supporting measures must be put in place to ease market imbalance, maintain the diversity and resilience of the local economic cosystem, and prevent local SMEs from being completely eliminated or disappearing in this wave.
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Honouring MA63 isn't outdated — It's essential for Sabah's future: SAPP leader
Yvonne Yong KOTA KINABALU (May 19): Demanding that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) be honoured isn't outdated — it's essential, according to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Mudanita chief Yvonne Yong. She said a just future cannot be built by ignoring an unjust past. 'This isn't about blame. It's about accountability. In the politics of federalism, Sabah has been structurally disadvantaged for decades —not due to the lack of unity or vision, but because the very federal political systems in place have consistently sidelined our rights and resources. Our oil wealth, our immigration powers, our promised autonomy — these are not emotional issues. They are constitutional rights provided in the Constitution and in MA63,' she pointed out in a statement today. Yong said to ignore these facts is to erase decades of struggle by our leaders, communities, and civil society who have continuously fought for what is rightfully ours under MA63. ''Sabah for Sabahans' is not about exclusion. It's about self-determination. It's about Sabahans shaping our own destiny, without being subservient to Malaya. 'Sabahans must be empowered by truths and history. We will only rise when we stop being told to 'move on', and to start being treated as equal partners in this Federation. 'True progress demands both accountability and vision — not one at the expense of the other. 'The most effective approach is for the Federal Government to put into practice, to recognise and to accept Sabah and Sarawak as 'autonomous states', thereby effectively implementing autonomy for both Sabah and Sarawak,' she added.
Daily Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
An insult to Sabah parties in unity government
Published on: Monday, May 19, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025 Text Size: According to John, Sabah's political stability must not be dictated by a federal seat-sharing formula involving parties from Malaya, now rebranding themselves as 'national parties.' Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council member, John Stephen Dionysius commended the firm stance taken by the Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), in declaring that GRS will contest solo in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17). He described the recent joint statement by Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), issued under the name of the Secretariat Perpaduan, as an act of arrogance and a clear insult to the Chief Minister in his capacity as Chairman of GRS, as well as to Sabah-based parties that are also part of the Federal Government. Advertisement According to John, Sabah's political stability must not be dictated by a federal seat-sharing formula involving parties from Malaya, now rebranding themselves as 'national parties.' 'A good relationship with the Federation does not mean Sabah must simply follow instructions, much less allow national parties to take the lead while local parties are treated as mere tag-alongs,' he said. He added that Sarawak has already rejected this federal political model at the state level, and that move has proven effective in strengthening its self-governance. John also condemned the recent remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Chairman of BN, for describing 'Sabah for Sabahans' as divisive and unhelpful. He said such remarks reflect a continuing divide-and-rule approach being imposed on Sabah and are deeply offensive to its people. Advertisement 'Sabah for Sabahans' has long symbolised the people's desire for self-determination and to be free from external control. It also reflects the continued demand for rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),' he said. He reminded the public that during the Kimanis by-election in 2020, the same Chairman of BN had vowed to fully implement MA63. 'Now that he is in power, has that promise been fulfilled?' John asked. He also expressed disappointment over Sabah Pakatan Harapan's decision to withdraw its legal action regarding the state's entitlement to 40 percent of federal revenue. 'That cause is now being pursued by the Sabah Law Society (SLS), a local non-governmental organisation. 'In light of these developments, who can the people of Sabah trust now?' he questioned. John further voiced support for the recent statement by the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also the President of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), in asserting that it is time for the people of Sabah to determine their own direction in the upcoming PRN17. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Yong must be referring to SAPP, says Umno
Published on: Sunday, May 11, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 11, 2025 Text Size: Rosman (left) said Yong's remarks were not only disrespectful but also a desperate attempt by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President to gain attention ahead of the coming elections. KOTA KINABALU: Umno Sabah's Strategic Communications Director Datu Rosman Datu Ahir Zaman regrets Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee likening members of political parties in Sabah to 'dogs chasing cars.' He said Yong's remarks were not only disrespectful but also a desperate attempt by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President to gain attention ahead of the coming elections. 'It is laughable that Yong has forgotten that SAPP itself is one of the parties that has been chasing power without direction, jumping from one side to the other, losing principles and its way,' said Rosman. He said after SAPP left Barisan Nasional, the party failed to win any seat in the past general elections or state elections. 'Who, then, is really chasing power without knowing where to go?' Rosman asked. Rosman also questioned SAPP's commitment to fighting for the autonomy of Sabah, noting the party's lack of action on critical issues such as fake identity cards, corruption in development funds and delays in public projects. 'Where were they when the people in rural areas were pleading for help? Their so-called seven core struggles are nothing more than words on paper, never translated into action,' he said. Rosman reminded the public that Yong had previously served as Chief Minister under the now-defunct rotational system, a system abandoned due to its ineffectiveness. 'His administration was not only brief but also left no proud legacy. Today, he wants to teach the people about struggle and principles?' He said Sabahans are no longer easily swayed by empty slogans. 'They are more mature now and can distinguish between true struggles and political dramas that come and go,' he said. 'If SAPP has been directionless for the past 15 years, they should not belittle others who are working day and night for the State. 'If you truly want to fight for Sabah, show it through action, not through provocative statements. If you only wish to be a troublemaker or a disruptor of democratic processes, it would be better to step down with dignity rather than continue to disgrace yourself,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
