Anwar changes tone on SAPP
Hoping to capitalise on voter discontent in the state, the opposition leader now tells Sabah PR leaders to continue talking with Yong Teck Lee
Queville To, FMT
KOTA KINABALU: In a surprise move, Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim re-opened the door for cooperation with the opposition Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
The opposition leader who is hoping to capitalise on voter discontent in the state, told Sabah PR leaders to continue talking with SAPP president Yong Teck Lee.
He said the gesture was in view of the fact that SAPP supports PR’s policy and leadership, unlike the Sabah State Reform Party (Sabah Star) which has always opposed the opposition.
He told reporters this during a press conference held at PPPS head Lajim Ukin’s residence in Likas, near here, on Friday.
Anwar’s change of tone came as a surprise to many as, only two weeks ago, he announced during his visit to Sabah that Pakatan Rakyat would not engage in any more talks with local opposition parties.
He charged that SAPP and Sabah STAR are untrustworthy and that PR would instead focus on solidifying its agenda in Sabah together with its local allies Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) and Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS).
Touching on Tuaran PKR chief Ansari Abdullah’s proposed candidates’, Anwar promised “it will be given a serious consideration”.
He said PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is in constant communication with Ansari on the matter and said that no public announcement would be made to avoid misunderstandings.
“We will take the proposal positively, especially with the discussions with APS and PPPS still ongoing. They are worried that their proposals are being ignored.
“But we never forget and ignore any proposals and suggestions. I have also told them that we will consider and we accept it as serious suggestions,” he said.
Unresolved issues
Ansari controversially announced that prominent surgeon and activist Dr Chong Eng Leong would be Pakatan’s candidate in Sepanggar, Mazhry Nasir (Putatan), Anthony Mandiau (Kota Marudu), Mursalim Tanjul (Kudat), Saidil Semoi (Kota Belud) and Jonathan Yassin (Ranau).
Anwar said the delay in announcing the Sabah PKR candidate line-ups for the 13th general election was due to “unresolved issues” and overlapping claims by Pakatan coalition parties in at least six state seats.
“The decisions (on candidacies) will be made by the state leaders, unless there is any conflict, then we (the top leaderships) will look into it. However, about 90% of the decision are made by the Sabah leadership.
