A study on the 13th State Election's Trend

United Sabah Dusun Association (USDA) will carry out a-one-year study on the trend of the March 8, 2008 State Election. Although it will only be officially launched on Sept 15, 2009, the exercise begin tomorrow (Sept 9, 2009).

The launching will be held in conjunction with the USDA's Malaysia Day Count Down at Padang Suworoh, Selupoh in Tuaran beginning 7.30pm.

According to the association's president Datuk Kalakau Untol, the study would be conducted throughout Sabah. USDA hopes to present a report, based on the study, on how the `people power' through the ballot boxes determined the mandate to Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue governing Sabah.

In last year's election, BN comprising of Umno, PBS, UPKO, LDP, SAPP, MCA and PBRS, won 59 of the 60 state's seats and 24 of the 25 parliamentary constituencies. The DAP, a Kuala Lumpur-based Opposition party, won one MP seat and a State constituency.

SAPP, however, pulled out from the coalition in September last year, bring along with them two MPs and two State seats.

LDP: DCM post should be given to MCA

Sabah-based Barisan Nasional component party, Liberal Democratic Parti (LDP), said the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister post now held by Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah should be given to Sabah MCA's Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai.

LDP's Youth chief Chin Shu Ying said even though Tan had joined Parti Gerakan, it should not be automatic that he continue to be Sabah Deputy Chief Minister. Tan quit Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) when the party led by Datuk Yong Teck Lee pulled out from BN on Sept 17, last year.

Tan, the assemblyman for Tanjong Papat, and ex-SAPP Youth chief Au Kam Wah, who is also Elopura assemblyman, joined Peninsula-based Parti Gerakan two days ago.

In a statement, Chin said MCA deserved the Deputy Chief Minister post for the Chinese quota in Sabah because it is the largest Chinese-based party in Malaysia and has a longer history of serving the people of Sabah than Parti Gerakan.

He said LDP fully support that MCA should be given the Deputy Chief Minister post. In the March 8, 2008 general elections, MCA fielded one candidate Datuk Edward Khoo. He won the Kepayan state seat and was made an Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department.

Tham: MCA's Donald Lim arrogant

Sabah former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Tham Nyib Shen said it was very arrogant for MCA Vice President Datuk Donald Lim to ask Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman to appoint Sabah MCA only Assemblyman Datuk Edward Khoo to replace Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah as Sabah Deputy Chief Minister.

"I know Datuk Edward Khoo is very keen to be Deputy Chief Minister but for Lim to demand for it publicly is an insult to the Chief Minister," Tham said in a statement Sunday.

Tham, who had resigned from Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), was responding to Lim's statement Saturday that the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister post should be given to Khoo and also MCA be allowed to contest 10 state and five parliamentary seats in Sabah.

"MCA should first look after its own backyard, especially to better unite its leaders and members, instead of demanding for the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister's post and more seats to contest, " Tham said.

He also said that it made no sense for Lim to demand for more seats in Sabah when MCA had done badly in its home base in Peninsula Malaysia during the March 8, 2008 general elections.

Tham also reminded Lim and Khoo not to use their respective government positions as a `bargaining chip' in their political pursuit yo gain supports, especially in the coming MCA election.

"It's very unethical, ungentlemen and wicked to use government post to fish for votes," he said.