KOTA KINABALU, Oct 14: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) agree to the remark by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Umno should not contest more than 50 per cent Sabah parliament and state seats.
Its Vice President, Don Chin in this respect challenged Umno to walk the talk as a show of respect to Sabahans and local based political parties. He also said West Malaysia based political parties should emulate Umno in this respect.
He said local political parties should be allowed to share half of the total parliamentary and state constituency seats.
This is important he said, considering local-based political parties know best the needs of Sabahans.
He was commenting on a statement by president of Upko, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok that Umno should not contest more than 50 per cent of the parliamentary and State seats in election.
“Obviously, local BN component parties are aware that they have lost autonomy on this matter…politicians and the people of Sabah should take this issue seriously,” he said.
Chin said Sabah politics is practically monopolised by West Malaysia-based political parties namely Umno, MCA and Gerakan, while local-based parties only get a few seats among them. “It is ridiculous to let your neighbour manage your family…it does not make sense at all,” he said.
To this, he said the Barisan Nasional (BN) especially Umno should respect Sabah political rights and to restore autonomy to Sabah.
He said the concept is similar to business share where those who have 51 per cent of the total share, have major control of the business.
“So, if both sides share equal proportion in the seats, they enjoy balance in terms of rights and power over the business,” he said.
Chin said Sabahans in general should really think about this issue because it is important to restore autonomy to the state.
By Daily Express
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