Sabah on fire – that is one clear message of the first debate of the new Parliament which ends today with the three-day Ministerial replies starting tomorrow.
Is the March 8 “political tsunami” in Peninsular Malaysia reaching Sabah?
Two outstanding examples:
1. “We (Sabah BN MPs) have never jumped. We can move by simply forming a new party. Then we can decide where we want to sit…here or there”, he said, gesturing in the direction of the opposition and backbenchers. – Datuk Seri Ghapur Salleh (MP for Kalabakan).
2. There is no harm in Barisan Nasional MPs in Sabah defecting to the Opposition. What’s the point of moving to a terrace house if one is already living in a bungalow? However, for some of us, there seems to be no pleasure in living in this bungalow. What’s the point of living in a bungalow if one has to sleep beside the toilet? – Datuk Anifah Aman (MP for Kimanis).
The fire rages on in Sabah to end over four decades of discrimination, marginalization and even victimisation of Sabahans in Malaysia.
#1 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:27 pm
“…there seems to be no pleasure in living in this bungalow. What’s the point of living in a bungalow if one has to sleep beside the toilet? ”
You sure it is not supposed to be “in the toilet” and not “beside the toilet”??
#2 by yellowkingdom on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:33 pm
I sure hope the ‘fires’ from the Land-Below-the-Wind will blow strong and send a raging inferno to engulf BN. It is time for our brothers and sisters from Sabah to stand shoulder-to-shoulder and be counted in deriving economic benefits for the resources extracted from their soil. Let them not waver nor cower any longer for now they hold the key to their future!
#3 by alancheah on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:33 pm
Good Luck to Pakatan Rakyat.
#4 by novice101 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:35 pm
THe Sabah politicians are playing their cards to the fullest. So, should they, they had been taken for a ride since joining to form Malaysia.
Hope they have matured politically, and not hopping for the sake of positions, power and self-enrichment. Not, still those shameless party-hoppers, who hopped at the drop of the hat, and at the slightest reason.
#5 by voice on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:45 pm
This is all because of UMNO’s domination and abuse of power, I see more and more people are waking up now, there’s hope for Malaysia!
#6 by calleigh69 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:46 pm
if only sarawak YBs are doing the jobs… why don’t they set the ‘Earth of Hornbil’ on fire hor???? Really look forward to it. Too bad we only have 1 representative from the DAP. How i wish Wong Ho Leng is on the floor!
#7 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:47 pm
If they can hop this way today, they can hop the other way tomorrow. Some say it makes a mockery of democracy. I say that’s what democracy is about i.e. the freedom to choose.
#8 by dap-for-pj on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:47 pm
While they are still arguing whether to make public Lingam tape finding and wheter to charge RPK, fire is raging in their backyard……they might end up the component parties deciding their faith in the federal government. We can see a sad ending for them……..
#9 by ALLAN THAM on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 6:54 pm
At last what need to say was said. I believe the Sabahans get the most relieve after being marginalized for such a long-long time. The time has come for the BN components in Sabah to make a decision now. Ghapur has put it in a very nice word and perfectly justify for them to turn opposition, but when they turn opposition they will be revert back immediately to be part of the new ruling coalition. Amusing right, such is politic.
#10 by Malaysian on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:02 pm
Come on, don’t be fooled by these two crocodiles. They are merely pressure Batawi to give more money and projects for UMNO sabah. Who is Anifah Aman >>> Musa Aman Chief Minister of Sabah !!!
#11 by grace on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:17 pm
Hey BN MPs,
Don’t just say it, DO IT!!!
Defect on bloc to PR and at least you have a frsh start. Being in a new company , you have more says. Your chances of promotion is much better.
In BN you have to fight those entrenched in their position for life. Some of them may be Ministers for life. So where do you stand.
Learn a lesson of Lim Kheng Yaik. After so many years, only that he knows that Gerakan and MCA and MIC are beggar ministers.
Learn the lesson well and ‘cabut’ right now!!!
#12 by AhPek on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:17 pm
The people of Brunei must have been eternally grateful to their old Sultan for not joining in to be part of Malaysia way back in the sixties and the Sarawakians to a lesser extent must also be thankful that their Mr. ‘White Hair’ has so far been successful in preventing UMNO from entering into the politics of Sarawak.
#13 by pky103 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:24 pm
- It is manifest that that UMNO has an insincere intention of helping those in East Malaysia.
- Up until the recent election campaigns only did the PM decide to throw East Malaysia a bone.
- But again, what was the underlying intention of such actions?
- Was it for the betterment of East Malaysians or was it another strategy to pull in their votes?
#14 by Godfather on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:29 pm
Just put clowns like Bodohwi and Najis out of their misery. Let them move to Perth and London to enjoy their ill-gotten gains. Let us move forward.
#15 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:35 pm
I’m impressed when Anwar in reply to a question from a journalist about the moral aspect of party hopping. He said (to paraphrase) “What moral is there when there have been flagrant abuses of the electoral process, when seats that should have been won by the opposition were lost, when votes were bought and false promises made, when murderers are not identified, when temples are being demolished without reason. Why are those questions not asked?”
#16 by Tickler on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:51 pm
JUST Do IT.
#17 by badak on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:53 pm
My advice to to PR..leaders is, please do not take any BN YB,S into the party …If this BN YB,s want to join PR.Let them step down first..By doing this the RAKYAT will respect PR more.Why stoop to the lever of this blood suckers from BN.
Before even when BN won big..They still bought YB,s from DAP.. Remember the BAHAU STATE ESSEMBLYMEN WHO JUMP TO MCA.In the 2004 G.E.All because they wanted a100% opposition free state.. Every one knows he was paid very well to jump ship.
#18 by pulau_sibu on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 7:57 pm
Why sabah MPs complained, wheras Sarawakian MPs kept quiet. Sarawak has been marginalised more than Sabah
#19 by drmaharajahrk on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 8:09 pm
i cant wait………Just do it !!!
#20 by mata_kucing on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 8:51 pm
I travelled to Sabah for the past 24 years in the course of my work and I can tell you that Sabahans are the nicest people in Malaysia. And because they are nice, the federal government have been treating them and their state like rubbish from the time Mahathir came to power. Their leaders were uncerimoniously dumped or even murdered as in the case of Donald Stephen. As far as Umno is concerned, Sabah and to a certain extend Sarawak is only good for delivering the votes and the timber money. It’s time for Sabahans to show the way by joining the opposition if they want to take back their belovered state. Sarawak is waiting for them to show the way.
#21 by disapointed86 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 8:52 pm
i think if sarawak and sabah were not to join Malaya to form Malaysian in the first place..the power of BN has been ended during the recent GE…its not a fluke anway because BN won almost 90% of the seats contested in Sabah and Sarawak…as a Sarawakian…BN swept away all the native votes in the rural area whereas in the town area, the majority is not that extreme because the youth today are more educated in the polical well-being in this state…
#22 by kenyalan08 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 8:52 pm
Sarawakian MPs , do have some serious though . Are we going to continue be “BEGGARS” .Years 2007 , Sarawak revenue from oil and gas is RM4.82 billion ( GIVEN IN PARLIAMENT ) . Imagine 20 % of that wll be around RM20 billion . With that , we could have 2 FIRST CLASS BORNEO HIGHWAY AND 1 BULLET TRAIN SERVICE TO SABAH .
OUR OIL AND GAS WILL DEPLETE SOON , BY THAT TIME , WE HAVE NOTHING TO ASK FOR .
#23 by ch on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 8:56 pm
Dear All,
If one analyzes the situation in a balanced approach and without prejudice, most will move on with the fact that the Sabahan politicians are demanding for recognition in terms of more important Ministerial posts, increase of oil royalty to the state from the current 5% to 20% and serious and urgent actions to be set in motion weeding out illegal immigrants by the Federal government. Presently, they are complaining that Sabahans were given menial and rookie Ministerial posts which doesn’t commensurate with the support extended to BN. They are also grumbling as to the apparent favourtism extended to several UMNO Ministers from states which were lost to Pakatan Rakyat, occupying important and powerful portfolios. While they may be right in raising their displeasure to the Federal Government on one hand but on the other they have demonstrated quite clearly their opportunistizm character. But then again, one has to realize that they are now bargaining in the position of strength.
When it comes to important Ministerial posts which the Sabahan politicians been demanding, just how many current UMNO big wigs be willing to relinquish their posts for them? I would safely say none. The reverse, of course, can be said about PR. But then again, there will be sure fights and jostling for positions even if PR forms the Federal government as demonstrated in Perak exco seats recently.
With tact and skill, Pakatan Rakyat probably has manipulated the situation to its advantage, promised and tangled out carrots to the Sabahan politicians should they cross over and enable them to form the Federal Government as a result. As published in the local daily, one of the promises which Anwar Ibrahim dished out to the Sabahan politicians is oil royalty increase from 5% to a whooping 20% i.e. from the current 1.234 billion to 4.936 billion. Assuming that PR forms the Federal Government and the 20% oil royalty promise are to be met there will be few other states asking for the same quantum. All in all, the “newly installed” PR federal government has to pump out some 105 billion, a gargantuan increase of 79 billion just on oil royalty to the states which are currently enjoying this “God-sent” facility.
We must reconcile with the fact that the above is not a major issue for the present government to meet if the crunch comes. But the point is whether or not the respective states will handle the money responsibly and with care. As it is now and sad to say the Malaysian government is throwing lots of money on subsidizing this and that without any good returns.
No less important is the role of the current government in preventing a coup by PR to form a new federal government. There are lot of ingredients being thrown into a new pot but the question that we must ask ourselves and be reminded is whether or not this “bubbling stew” be toppled over?
Does PR has in mind a contingency plan to mitigate the consequences should the pot topples over? If yes, are they fool proof?
I have always been reminded by our elders that a business build on grace and favour will never stand the test of time. Can the same be said on politics?
#24 by disapointed86 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 8:56 pm
kenyalan08, u dream too much edi lah..the money all go into the MPs’ pockets mah…how can got bullet train whatsoever…haha…
#25 by ktteokt on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 8:59 pm
How come it took these Sabahans so long to realize that they have been made “fools” by BN?
#26 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:05 pm
2. There is no harm in Barisan Nasional MPs in Sabah defecting to the Opposition. What’s the point of moving to a terrace house if one is already living in a bungalow? However, for some of us, there seems to be no pleasure in living in this bungalow. What’s the point of living in a bungalow if one has to sleep beside the toilet? – Datuk Anifah Aman (MP for Kimanis)
We realized it long time ago. We were wondering if you guys like the toilet so much.
#27 by novice101 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:06 pm
Wonder why the loud-mouth politician from Melaka is keeping so quiet. Isn’t he the one who said UMNO doesn’t need the support of the Chinese, the Indians, – and hear this – the East Malaysians to form the federal government.
Hey, Ali Rustam, wgere are you??? We are waiting for you to tell UMNO to ignore the East Malaysians. They are making demands and your leaders have to pacify them the very next day. Where are you? Be a racialist hero and tell them off! I dare you!
#28 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:07 pm
1. “We (Sabah BN MPs) have never jumped. We can move by simply forming a new party. Then we can decide where we want to sit…here or there”, he said, gesturing in the direction of the opposition and backbenchers. – Datuk Seri Ghapur Salleh (MP for Kalabakan).
BN is going down???
#29 by novice101 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:12 pm
Now Mohamd Tiab is squeezing AAB. He is asking for 3 billion for Sarawak to develop the rice bowl. If you have watched the news segment, he was wearing a sly smile. Does it has any hidden meaning in it. I wonder.
#30 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:27 pm
“The fire rages on in Sabah to end over four decades of discrimination, marginalization and even victimisation of Sabahans in Malaysia.”
Abdullah better handover to his deputy now so he can avoid the fate of being the last BN Prime Mnister in Malaysia. Sad indeed.
#31 by blablowbla on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:27 pm
moral aspect of party hopping?why they talk about it now?why wouldnt they talk about it previously,they were the ones whom are specialised on it,usiing money politic to swing-away opposition leaders!
#32 by novice101 on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:32 pm
From Rocky Bru’s blog:-
March 2004 to March 2007. And we all thought the Terengganu government under the former MB Idris Jusoh was getting about RM1 billion a year from Petronas in terms of Wang Ehsan! Read here.
That’s RM7.364 billion in 3 years!
I bet you Ahmad Said, the pro-Palace MB that Pak Lah didn’t want, hadn’t known that the money involved was this much.
I am not an Anak Terengganu but I imagine people from this beautiful (and poor) state must want to know how the money was spend, on what (and who), and by whom! If any state government needs to conduct a forensic audit, it is Terengganu.
A file pic of happier times during the Monsoon Cup, a project said to have been funded with the Wang Ehsan.
—————— End of article ———–
LKS -Please enlighten. All the years that this amount of money was being channeled – wasn’t any opposition MPs had any inkling of it?
#33 by ShiokGuy on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:51 pm
for PR to win Sabah and Sarawak, PR have to get out from sabah and sarawak. Meaning NO PKR,DAP,PAS in sabah and sarawak.
We east Malaysian does not like to have foreigner on our soil…
Shiok Guy
#34 by cvl on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 9:55 pm
That Sabah maybe on fire in parliament, and its smoke should wake up anyone dozing in the BN. Alas, for many Sabahan the expectation for an inferno has not materialized to consume the nation. The cheap speaks from Ghapur and Anifah all smacked of personal materialistic comfort, as if they have had not enough, particularly Anifah.
The immensity of issues in Sabah such as the all pervading illegal migrants, the poverty abyss, lack of world class industry, substandard communications links, haphazard development programs are there for the Sabah BN reps to voice about. And these are real, solid and legitimate bases for poking the BN leadership to attention and actions.
Instead, people like Ghapur and Anifah, and for this matter all elected BN reps, could only chose analogies of creature comforts. What fine brain Sabah is exporting to the KL, and the august house of parliament.
For Pakatan Rakyat, you really should distance yourself from people such as these; they are old baggage who demand to be rewarded for the way they think
#35 by kentutoyol on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 10:05 pm
“Rakyat Sabah mahu KEADILAN”, Ghapur said.
Yes, sound like tsunami politic is coming to Sabah.
Sabahans are seeing light at the tunnel end.
Or seeing frogs?
#36 by limkamput on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 10:21 pm
But didn’t Sabah leaders behaving exactly like those in Gerakan, MIC and MCA? Where were they all these years when UMNO was in full power? In fact Sabah leaders are best known for being corrupted and spineless. Didn’t Sabahans give the first PBS to rule Sabah? What happened was almost all the leaders started to sell themselves like whores. They formed mosquito parties and hoping to land themselves in some insignificant positions. From one of the richest and most most vibrant state, today Sabah is the most marginalised and poorest.
May I know what the leaders from Sabah are now talking about? Let me see, oh, cabinet posts, and they want important ones so that may be the possiblility of making money is better. Looking after muzeum and in charge national unity probably can’t help them to go very far. But I want to know what concrete programmes or projects the leaders from Sabah have in store for the people. Even 20% oil royalty for Sabah is the idea os DSAI, not Yong Teck Lee. Let face, there is no sincerity from this group of leaders from Sabah. Should they join PK and should PK come into power at the Federal level, I think PK should continue to sideline them. Of course PK should bring in capable people irrespective of the states they come from to help bring development to Sabah. But please, there is no need to depend on this group of spineless ill principled fellows.
#37 by LALILOo on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 10:28 pm
Finally, now we’re talking.
Oh gosh, the BN bolls must be shaking now.
Will BN yield to the Sabah threat, or will they slam it hard on them and say “you go back to the toilet and stay there!”?
#38 by fishhook on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 10:30 pm
As much as I don’t like status quo, I don’t support the idea of defection or party hopping. Even if 30 BN MPs cross over now what’s to stop others crossing over to BN and changing powers again. It may be a political tsunami but the economic tsunami that is going to hit us if are still politically unstable will affect us more. Furthermore party hopping is cheating the voters.
I propose whichever MP who is not happy with his party’s policies to step down and have a by-election.
Otherwise, PKR should just work really hard and do what they can with their numbers in parliament and try again next GE.
#39 by Mr Smith on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 10:36 pm
This is the most significant news of the century!
The rot in the country is deep. Every single facet of government is corrupted to the core. UMNO’s arrogance is at its peak even in defeat.
The only way to save the country is to put UMNO in the Opposition. Let Razaleigh, ABdullah or Muhyiddin be the Opposition Leader. As for Najib, Anwar has plans for him.
#40 by 20 Perkara on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 10:47 pm
TERUSKAN GHAPUR SALLEH (saya mula menyukai anda)… ANDA BERJIWA RAKYAT. KENAPA MP SABAH YG LAIN MEMBISU…
#41 by limkamput on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 10:49 pm
Sorry repost, too many mistakes in the earlier posting. Thanks.
Talking about the possibility of Members of Parliament from Sabah joining Pakatan Rakyat prompted me to think of the state so rich in resources but being reduced to one of the poorest states in Malaysia over years since joining the Federation. Why only now the leaders from Sabah are raising issues with the Federal Government? Didn’t their behaviour same as those from Gerakan, MIC and MCA? Where were they all these years when UMNO was in full power? In fact, Sabah leaders were best known for being corrupted and spineless. Didn’t Sabahans give the “first” PBS to rule Sabah in the 1980s? What followed was almost all the leaders started to sell themselves like whores. They formed mosquito parties one after another with the hope that their leaders would land themselves in some insignificant positions. From one of the richest and most vibrant state, Sabah is today the most marginalised and the poorest.
May I know what the leaders from Sabah are now talking about? Let me see, oh, Cabinet posts, and they want important ones so that the possibility of making money is better. Looking after museum and in charge of national unity probably can’t help them to go very far. But I want to know what concrete programmes or projects the leaders from Sabah have in store for their people. Even 20% oil royalty for Sabah is the idea of Anuar Ibrahim, not Yong Teck Lee. Let’s face it, there is no sincerity from this group of leaders from Sabah. Should they join PK and should PK come into power at the Federal level, I think PK should continue to sideline them. Of course PK should bring in capable people irrespective of the states they come from to help bring development to Sabah.
#42 by Malaysian on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 11:00 pm
Uncle Kit,
Have you seen Tan Sri Bernard Dompok recently?? We Sabahan have never heard about him since 12th GE. In his election campaign when he switched from Kinabalu to Penampang, his home town, he asked the Penampang people to give him a stonger mandate so that he can give a stronger voice in Parliament regarding the Illegal Immigrant issue in Sabah. This is typical BN-UPKO MP and Federal Minister.
#43 by observer on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 11:35 pm
Let’s the Theme song be CHANGE FOR A BETTER MALAYSIA. Sabah Boleh lead the way . A big hurrah for the Land of the hornbills.
#44 by lopez on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 11:36 pm
I have been to Kuching only once, and i went there reluctantly,
on arrival what i like best is the blue sky, and the mountainous skyline and the best is the fresh air.
Most will not notice the difference unless you live and worked in KL for 30 years…i did and i don t know how long more….
I was told i have not seen anything yet because we only jot around Kuching….for a moment I was convince i would like to make this my retirement home…bull shit …mind awoken…when i see familiar Bee end and yuckno propagangah, oops sorry lah i think not and i know wjhat could happen…no no pity we cannot do anything, you guys have to learnt it the hard way, cant tell more, need to run thro the process
#45 by subject on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 11:40 pm
Is show time for the civil strife among PBN (Parti Babi Negara)…Lets see how those UMNO BABI handle it…
#46 by P.O.T.S on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 11:43 pm
LAND OF THE HORNBILLS?
SABAH?
Dear Observer, SABAH IS THE LAND BENEATH THE WINDS, SARAWAK IS THE LAND OF THE HORNBILLS!
#47 by caishen on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 11:48 pm
Never heard before in any part of the world that a prime minister has too beg in order to retain his position.You see…the Beggar in action! Step downlah…it is a disgrace to Malaysia.
#48 by pwcheng on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 - 11:58 pm
undergrad2 Says:
Today at 19: 35.44 (4 hours ago)
You forgot that UMNO also did that to PBS. So it is high time that they should have a taste of their own medicine.
#49 by lovemalaysiaforever on Wednesday, 14 May 2008 - 2:01 am
Sabahan are not fools!
#50 by undergrad2 on Wednesday, 14 May 2008 - 5:22 am
“You forgot that UMNO also did that to PBS. So it is high time that they should have a taste of their own medicine.” PWCHENG
Like Anwar said, “What moral?”
“Where’s the moral when elections had been rigged, when there is no justice for Altantuya, when temples were demolished for no reason, when the corrupt have yet to be charged?”
It is not a question of tit for tat. When justice is in the balance, you can hop for justice or not hop for justice. You cannot but hop!
Kangaroos hop all the time!