Tham: Good Bye SAPP

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party's co-founder and think-tank chief Datuk Tham Nyip Shen (pix) has left the party.

He is the fourth prominent figure in SAPP to leave after the party ditched the Barisan Nasional last week.

Tham, 50, who co-founded the party with current president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, tendered his resignation from the party and as chairman of Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis effective Sept 18.

SAPP had already lost deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan, Youth chief Au Kam Wah and senior vice-president Jimmy Wong.

Tham also resigned as science and technology adviser to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman on the same date.

Before announcing his resignation yesterday, Tham had met with Musa, who is state BN chairman, to thank him for the opportunity to serve at the ministerial-level.

Tham, who was Elopura assemblyman from 1985 to 2004, and served as deputy chief minister from 1998 to 2004, was SAPP's deputy president when it was formed in 1994.

"As a result of recent development in the SAPP, I'm sad to leave the party which I helped found and form," he said, referring to the party's withdrawal from the BN.

"The consequences of the party leaving the BN have also brought me out of the national coalition."

Tham said he would be taking a break from politics but will continue to speak up on issues affecting the state and the people.

He also said that he would not be joining the opposition.

My Say:

My earlier posting on Tham was made from my handphone which unfortunately went `low bat' while I was sending to this blog. This up-date is from HERE