Statement from LDP Deputy President Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin

KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Deputy President Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin has refuted Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman’s statement that LDP is putting pressure on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over the issue of seats allocation in the coming general elections.

He said like other BN component parties, LDP President Datuk VK Liew was merely expressing the aspirations of party members during the annual general meeting of the LDP divisions.

“The LDP never put pressure on the Prime Minister. In fact, those who put pressure on the Prime Minister are certain leaders who created problems within the BN coalition.

“We strongly believe that the BN leadership need to take action to resolve the problems within the BN coalition in Sabah so that all the component parties can unite and work together in ensuring BN victory in the 13th general elections,” said Chin when responding Abdul Rahman yesterday.  

Chin said there is nothing wrong for Liew to voiced LDP’s aspiration to defend the four seats – the parliamentary seat Sandakan and the state seats of Tg Kapor, Karamunting and Merotai – that wwere allocted to the party in the 2008 general elections. 

“We worked really hard to win the four seats despite the back-stabbings from certain quarters within the BN coalition who were bent on destroying the LDP.

“We in LDP strongly believe that we’ve the right to defend the four seats,” he added.   

Chin also fully supported Liew that LDP is the only Sabah-based Chinese party eligible to lay claim on the six seats left ‘vacant’ following the pull out of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from the BN in September 2008.

In dismissing Abd Rahman’s contention that Liew’s statement amounted to putting pressure on the Prime Minister into a defensive situation, Chin pointed out it is normal for any of the BN component parties to voice out their stand and the problems raised during the AGM.   

“It’s not just the LDP, even other BN component parties like Upko and Umno are also doing the same thing. At one time,  Sabah Umno openly laid claim on the Merotai seat currently held by LDP and Putatan parliamentary seat now held by Upko.   

“When Sabah Umno made such claims, does Umno care about the feelings of other BN component parties,” he asked.   

“LDP president only stated the party’s aspiration to defend the four seats it had won in 2008 general elections, apart from conveying the party’s members wish to contest the six seats now held by SAPP. Ultimately, we will leave it to the wisdom of the Prime Minister’s in deciding on the seats allocation,” he stressed.   

Chin also reminded Abd Rahman of the latter’s obligations as the State BN Secretary he must be fair to all the BN component parties and not just to speak up for one person only.   

“Each time LDP makes a statement, you said it’s wrong but every thing said by your big brother is always right,” he said, without elaborating. He added as the State BN secretary, Abd Rahman should remain neutral.   

Chin also disagreed with Abd Rahman that the BN component parties in Sabah can sit down together as a family in deliberating on issues affecting the coalition.   

“If that is actually the case, then there should not be any disagreement amnong the BN component parties in Sabah,” he contended.