Friday 13 March 2009

Kurup: A relief BUT Andipai: Disappointed

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup expressed relief with the decision by the Federal Court to uphold his appeal against the decision of the Election Court and basically allowing him to continue as Member of Parliament for Pensiangan.

“I feel very relieve because this (election petition court trial) has been distracting my concentration to work as the P182 MP for Pensiangan.

“But, I am very thankful that the rule of law prevail,” he said when met after the judgement was delivered by Federal Court Judge Datuk Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman in Kota Kinabalu Friday.

Kurup who is also the Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister believed he would be able to give his full concentration in assisting his constituents in Pensiangan.

“I can put much more effort particularly for the people of Pensiangan to get them out of misery,” said Kurup who was visibly elated once the Judge read the final verdict.

To a question, he believed the verdict gave the Barisan Nasional (BN) confidence in gunning for victories in the three by-elections in Bukita Gantang, Batang Ai and Bukit Selambau.

Meanwhile, Danny Anthony Andipai issued a challenge to Kurup asking him to resign and allow for a by-election.

“If he is really a gentleman, he should resign … I challenge him,” said the dejected Andipai. He felt disappointed and was wronged by the decision.

“But, I will not budge from struggle despite whatever I have been offered,” he said without elaborating.

Andipai said this was only the beginning of his struggle and “will only spark the spirit of the people of Sabah”.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Pensiangan Deputy Chief, Affendy Abdullah @ Lukan Anginduh, 50, meanwhile called on party supporters to remain calm with the decision.

In fact, he said the decision only allowed them more time and opportunity to strengthen the party’s machinery to face the next general election.

He believed the Federal Court’s decision had disappointed many quarters in the PKR but it has to be accepted with an open heart and translated instead to a more consistent struggle for the party.

Towards this end, Affendy hoped Kurup would keep his promise to continue the development mission that had been planned when the status of the seat was still hanging in the balance.

“We want to see transparency on his part in this matter because before this he looked to be so serious and really on the move in wanting to bring development here (Pensiangan). It cannot stop at that now that his status (as the MP) is declared valid,” he said.

Former Native Chief, Sundang Pongolot, 50, said Kurup should be given the chance to prove to the people in Pensiangan that he is able to help them within the next four years.

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