SAPP to quit BN???

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said his party will decide on Wednesday (Sept 17) whether to quit from the Barisan Nasional Government.

The supreme council in the special meeting beginning 2pm will discuss SAPP's status in the national coalition.

"We want to resolve any remaining doubts, on the status of SAPP in BN, whether to leave it to BN or we do it ourselves," Yong told the Press in Kota KInabalu today.

BN had issued a show cause letter to SAPP as to why action should not be taken against the party for supporting a no-confidence motion in Parliament against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister.

My Say:

I chance upon a senior member of the party this evening and when I asked about the special meeting on Wednesday, was told that it will just endorsed a decision which was already made sometimes ago.

The story below is from HERE

Kota Kinabalu, (13 September, 2008) 12:45pm: In a press conference held at the Pacific Sutera Resort, Kota Kinabalu Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee announced that the Supreme Council of the party will meet on the 17 September 2008.

"In view of the latest political development with major consequences, the SAPP Supreme Council shall meet sooner at the party headquarters, Kota Kinabalu on the 17 September 2008, " said Yong.

"The developments in recent day are:

(1) the abuse of ISA against a member of parliament, a journalist and a blogger, and whether this abuse of ISA is the start of Ops Lallang 2.”

(2) The disturbing rise in racial animosity which is really damaging for the national unity, adds Yong,

(3) The infamous Taiwan trip by the BNBBC for 49 MPs that has brought ridicule and disrepute to the institution of the Malaysian Parliament and the image of Malaysia.”

Yong also said, "And the collapse of the confidence among the people and now even among the UMNO and BN leaders in the Prime Minister which vindicate the SAPP’s no confidence move against the PM announced on 18 June 2008."



Meanwhile, SAPP led by President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee put on a yellow ribbon as a sign of protest against the detention of Sin Chew's journalist Tan Hoon Cheng who was detained under the ISA.

This is to express the party solidarity and support for Tan who was arrested because she wrote a story based on what UMNO Bukit Bendera Division Head Datuk Ahmad Ismail said. Datuk Ahmad Ismail has since been suspended by UMNO for three (3) years for his remarks. (See picture above - also in the pix are MPs Datuk Eric Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Chua Soon Bui (Tawau))

Tan was released hours (approximately 2:30 pm) after Yong's press conference.

Anwar Sends Conflicting Signals

By Noor Hayati Muda

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- For months, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been insisting that his three-party Pakatan Rakyat alliance would unseat the Barisan Nasional (BN) government on Sept 16 through defections.

However, since returning to Parliament after winning the Permatang Pauh by-election on Aug 26, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor has been making conflicting statements on the exact date for the "takeover" as Sept 16 draws closer. More HERE

I can't stomach this!!!

Breakfast this morning was a bowl of noodle and a bottle of Kopi Sejuk at my favourite coffee shop in Inanam. But this morning, I did not finish the noodle, no thanks to a news report (below) which I was reading, while having my breakfast, from HERE.




(Click on the text to read)

Langkawit

(Click on the cartoon to view)

My Say:

Sabah's cartoonist Langkawit whose work is published in the Kadazandusun page HERE reminds me of my former colleague LAT's.

Carry on producing cartoons Langkawit.

Kurup seeks stay of execution

Federal Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup today filed an application in the Court of Appeal in Puterajaya, Kuala Lumpur for a stay of execution of a Kota Kinabalu Election Court's decision to declare void his win in Pensiangan in the March 8, 2008 general elections.

Kurup, who is Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president, said his lawyer had also filed an appeal against the Monday's Election Court judgement declaring his seat in Parliament vacant.

He told the Press in Kota Kinabalu this afternoon that in the event that a by-election had to be held, PBRS Pensiangan is ready to take up the challenge to defend the seat.

Asked about his position as Deputy Minister, the lawyer turned politician said: That you have to ask Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi or Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak."

On Monday, Najib said Kurup was no longer Deputy Minister as a person have to be an MP to hold the post.

My Say:

A by-election should be held in Pensiangan and Kurup should defend the seat to proof that he has the supports of the constituents.

RM50K: Sabah PKR reports to ACA

KOTA KINABALU, THURS (Bernama) - The Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) today over the allegation that each of the Barisan Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament who joined the study trip to Taiwan had received RM50,000.

Party Youth chief Abdul Razak Jamil filed the report at the state ACA office at 3.05pm.

“Although BNBBC (Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club) deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin has denied the allegation, we don’t know the truth, so the ACA should investigate,” he told reporters after lodging the report.

He made the report based on Sarawak People’s Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee’s statement in the local press on Tuesday that the MPs who joined the trip were given RM50,000 each. The two SAPP MPs, Datuk Eric Majimbun and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui, did not go on the trip.

The group left for Taiwan on Monday to study agricultural projects there and are scheduled to return home next Wednesday.

No RM50,000 Pocket money says Bung

Chris Maskilone, a senior journalist with a Kota Kinabalu-based daily contacted Barisan Nasional Back Benchers Club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokthar Radin (pix) for comments on Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's claim that MPs who joined the overseas trip were given RM50,000 pocket money.

Bung Mokthar, who is Kinabatangan MP and now in Taiwan has this to say:- "We never offered money to the MPs...we are using our own money."

He said there were 10 MPs from Sabah together with 39 other MPs who left for Taiwan Sunday now on study tour of the island nation.

Bung Mokthar also denied that the trip was purposely arranged in order to prevent BN MPs from crossing over to Pakatan Rakyat and form a new Federal Government on Tuesday - Sept 16, 2008.

SAPP MPs No to RM50,000

Majimbun (centre) presenting gifts to a Muslim resident in Kampung Wariaan, Inanam. Also in the picture is Likas Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan (left).


Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament were offered RM50,000 `pocket money' to go on overseas trip but two MPs from Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Datuk Eric Majimbun and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui declined to accept and did not join the trip.

SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said his two MPs prefer to continue working for the benefit of the people than leaving Sabah on an organised vocation organised by the BN leadership.

"They are more happy to get together with the rakyat, including to join them during this Holy Month of Ramadan, " the former Chief Minister said in a leaders-and-people gathering in Kampung Warisan, Inanam near Kota Kinabalu.

Yong was referring to the 49 BN MPs, 10 of them from Sabah, who left for Taiwan on Monday on a study tour of the agriculture technology in the island nation.

Meanwhile, Datuk Bung Mokthar Radin, BN MP for Kinabatangan, who is one of the organiser of the overseas trip had been quoted by local newspapers that MPs who joined the study tour look after their own expenses while abroad.

Inanam seat is safe

Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy chief Daniel John Jambun today withdrew his election petition filed on April, 29 seeking court declaration that Johnny Goh Chin Lok (pix) of Barisan Nasional - Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)win in the Inanam state seat in the March 8, 2008 was null and void.

Hearing of the case in the Kota Kinabalu Election Court began on July 14, this year.

The trial was scheduled to continue today before Judge Datuk Zulkifili Bakar but Jambun's lawyer Datuk Chau Chin Tang informed the court that the petitioner was not proceeding with the case.

Chau told the court that after calling 14 witnesses, the petitioner was unable to served subpoenas to another 19 of his witnesses.

Goh's counsel Peter Jino Allion did not object and the judge fixed Sept 22, this year to hear the application proper for the petitioner to withdraw the petition.

Jambun was seeking declaration that the election result in Inanam was void due to various breaches of the Election Offences Act 1954 and Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981.

He claimed, amongst others, that Goh was involved in the distribution of cash ranging from RM450 to RM700 to parents of poor school children in schools in Inanam during the campaign period.

Jambun wanted the court to declare that the election is null and void due to general bribery and intimidation and/or election not conducted in accordance with election law declare that the 2nd Respondent not duly elected and declare that he committed bribery and illegal practice

Bernard Maraat a wounded tiger - Agundong

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) Vice President Datuk Kadoh Agundong (Pix) this afternoon issued a statement to the Press in Kota Kinabalu responding to former Pensiangan Member of Parliament Datuk Bernard Maraat's statement in the Daily Express (also in my earlier posting) today.

Maraat, who was a former PBRS Secretary General, had stated that it would be a waste of tax payers money for PBRS President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup to appeal against the Kota Kinabalu Election Court's decision yesterday to declare his (Kurup) win in Pensiangan in the March 8, 2008 general elections null and void.

Agundong is a former Sabah Culture, Youth and Sports Minister during the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBS) Government. He is best known for defeating then Chief Minister Datuk Harris Salleh in the April 20-21, 1985 State election in Tenom.

Defeating Harris earned this former teacher and Information Department's field officer the nickname of `Giant Killer'.

Below is the Agundong's Press statement.

Najib says Kurup no longer Deputy Minister

Following the Kota Kinabalu Election Court decision to declare the March 8, 2008 general elections result for Pensiangan parliamentary seat null and void, Deputy Prime Minister said Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (Pix) is no longer Federal Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister.

Speaking to Bernama in Kuala Lumpur, Najib said Kurup is no longer a Deputy Minister as the person holding the post has to be a Member of Parliament.

Najib said kurup can be reappointed to the post if he is re-elected.

"Barisan Nasional will appeal against the decision and at the same time, prepare for a by-election," Najib said.

Appeal will waste Tax payers' money

Former Pensiangan MP Bernard S Maraat said appealing against the court decision would be a waste of public funds.

"Kurup should just accept the court's decision with an open heart and allow due process to take place," he said.

Maraat said if a by-erlection were to be held, he would be returning to win the MP seat following popular demand from the grassroots.

Maraat was Kurup's Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) secretary-general until the March 8, 2008 general elections. He quit after Kurup dropped him from defending Pensiangan. Kurup won the seat uncontested. The rest for now is history.

Just last week, Maraat joined Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and was elected the party divisional chairman for Liawan.

Up to PM says Kurup

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said Monday he would leave it to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to decide on his post as a deputy minister.

This follows a Kota Kinabalu High Court decision to declare his victory in the Pensiangan parliamentary seat in the last general election null and void.

Kurup said he did not expect the verdict to favour the petitioner, Danny Anthony Andipai of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, and said that he had instructed his lawyer to apply for a stay of execution of the court's decision and file for an appeal.

The rural and regional development deputy minister said if the appeal still favoured the petitioner, then the Barisan Nasional would make preparation to face a by-election.

"I'm confident that with close cooperation among the BN component parties, we will be able to defend Pensiangan," he told Bernama.

Andipai will be the choice

Andipai (right) and Ansari (left) with party's supporters after the court adjourned this morning.

Sabah head of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Haji Ansari Abdullah said Danny Anthony Andipai will be Sabah's choice to contest should a by-election is held for the Pensiangan parliamentary seat.

"We (PKR) are happy, at last justice is done to us," Ansari told reporters after the Kota Kinabalu Election Court declared that Federal Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup's win uncontested in Pensiangan during the March 8, 2008 general elections was null and void.

Kurup, who is Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president, was not in court when Judge David Wong Dak Wah delivered his judgement.

Kurup's win null and void

This up-date is from HERE

KOTA KINABALU, Mon - The High Court here today declared null and void the election of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup as the unopposed winner of the Pensiangan parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election.

In delivering the landmark judgment, Justice David Wong Dak Wah ruled that the wrongful rejection of the nomination papers of the petitioner, Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Danny Anthony Andipai, had breached the petitioner’s constitutional right to take part in the election and the written law relating to the conduct of the election.

In his 36-page judgment, Wong said the decision of the deputy director of the Sabah Election Commission to accept Andipai’s nomination papers was final and could not be overruled by the returning officer, Bubudan OT Majalu, under the pretext that there was an objection during the objection period.

The deputy director was exercising a power provided for by law in making the decision, said the judge who also ruled that Bubudan’s decision to uphold the objection was a wrong decision.

“I find certain aspects of the second repondent’s (Bubudan’s) conduct troubling and when taken in its totality, I can only conclude that the decision made was definitely not one which a reasonable tribunal would come to,” he said.

He made the observation when allowing Andipai’s petition to nullify the election result of the Pensiangan seat which Kurup won unopposed on nomination day on Feb 24.
Andipai had named Kurup and Bubudan as respondents. The judgement was to have been delivered on Sept 17 but was brought forward today.

Outlining what happened on nomination day, Wong said Andipai arrived at the nomination centre at the Nabawan District Council Hall at about 9.35am to file his nomination papers for the seat.

After paying the deposit of RM15,000 he waited his turn but when he tried to submit his nomination papers, Bubudan refused to accept them on the ground that he was late in submitting them.

Andipai argued that it was not his fault but that of Bubudan and his staff and having failed to convince Bubudan, he said that he would be lodging a police report.

However, while the discussion was going on, one of the assistant returning officers, Osman Aganduk, sought the advice of the state election commission which gave the directive to accept the nomination papers.

Wong said the directive, which came from the deputy director of the Election Commission of Sabah, was relayed to Bubudan who then accepted Andipai’s nomination papers which were endorsed with the acceptance time of 10.25am.

Objections closed at 11am and at about 1.25pm, Bubudan announced that Kurup was returned unopposed and declared him duly elected on the ground that the nomination papers of Andipai and an independent candidate, Saineh Usau, were delivered after 10am.

Meanwhile, Kurup can file an appeal against the Election Court's decision in the Federal Court. Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said this was allowed for under the law.

"According to the Election Offences Act 1954, he can file an appeal within 14 days from the day the judgement is passed.

"The Federal Court has six months to dispose the case. Until then, it is too early to say whether there will be a by-election for Pensiangan parliamentary seat," he said when contacted by Bernama.

Kurup lost his MP seat

Andipai shaking hands with his lawyer Haji Ansari Abdullah after the court proceeding in Kota Kinabalu today.

Breaking news…

Update 1
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee sms me that obviously a by-election would be held soon.


To be updated


Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup lost his Pensiangan MP seat today when his win uncontested in the March 8, 2008 general elections was declared null and void by the Election Court in Kota Kinabalu few minutes ago.

Kurup, who is Party Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president, was not in court when Judge David Wong Dak Wah delivered his judgement in a packed courtroom. The petitioner Danny Anthony Andipai is a happy man and so is PKR.

The petition was filed on April 9, 2008 by Andipai, the Pensiangan PKR divisional chief, whose candidacy for the Pensiangan parliamentary seat was rejected by Returning Officer Bubudan OT Majalu on nomination day Feb 24, 2008.

After rejecting Andipai’s papers, Bubudan declared Kurup of having won Pensiangan uncontested.

Andipai was seeking court declaration that Kurup’s win was null and void. He claimed that Bubudan had planned to make available only on counter for delivery of nomination papers by candidates contesting in Pensiangan and the state seats of Nabawan and Sook.

He claimed that the plan was to prevent the timely delivery of nomination papers of other candidates to enable Kurup to be returned unopposed in the March 8, 2008 general elections.

Andipai was represented by a team of lawyers - Datuk Chau Chin Tang and Haji Ansari Abdullah while Kurup’s lawyers were Alex Deccena, Hajah Mariati Robert, Wilson Lai Wai Shing.

Senior Federal Counsel Suzana Atan and Chandra Devi appeared for Bubudan.