LDP prefers to contest in Chinese majority areas

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 17): Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has yet to discuss with its fellow components in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) about seats allocation for the 17th state election.

Its president, Datuk Chin Su Phin, said it is not the time to be grabbing for seats adding, “and if it is necessary to do so, we must ensure that we can win in the seats we want to contest in.”

Chin who said this when met by reporters at LDP’s congress here on Sunday, pointed out that it is pointless to want to contest in 10 seats but cannot win a single one.

“We will discuss within GRS and yes, LDP has a target and we prefer to contest in Chinese majority areas.

The decision on the seat allocation is up to the Chief Minister … what is important is to identify the area(s) where we can win,” he said.

Chin added that all eight component parties of GRS must sit down and discuss the seats allocation with the aim to contest in constituencies where they can win.

“Because if (we) cannot win and GRS cannot form the government (then there is) no point,” he stressed.

In his speech earlier, Chin pointed out that LDP is unique because it does not have the backing of large corporations or massive projects to fund the party.

“We have always been self-sufficient, relying on our own resources to sustain our party struggles. This, in turn, creates a healthy political culture within the party that wins over the respect of the local communities,” he said.

According to Chin, during Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat’s leadership, LDP had successfully groomed the second generation of leaders and the process of reinvigoration continued when he and Datuk Seri Panglima Teo Chee Kang took over the leadership of the party.

“For the past eight years, we have been nurturing the third generation of leaders as our successors. I am heartened to see that many young people are eager to join LDP in recent years. I hope that our veteran members who have retreated from active involvement in politics will continue to contribute in their own ways to the party,” he said.

Chin also expressed belief that Sabahan voters, especially the bumiputeras, will vote for GRS led by Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor in the next election.

He claimed that Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal had recently called on the Chinese voters in Sabah to support his party and expressed his confidence that Warisan will be the next state government.

“I hope the voters in Sabah, especially the Chinese community, will not be misled by Warisan president’s sweet but empty promises. It is unlikely for Warisan to become the next state government in its current state,” Chin opined.

He said that the state elections is expected to be called next year and to make Sabah and Sabahans stronger, fullest support must be given to GRS led by Hajiji to ensure GRS could secure victory.

In doing so, Sabah will have larger autonomy to safeguard the best interests for Sabah, he said adding, “We believe that Sabahans must unite firmly under GRS to form a formidable political force. This is how we ensure our voices are heard and our needs are met. Sarawak is the best example of how they succeed with unity.

“We, Sabahans, need to unite and vote for GRS in the coming Sabah state election. At present, our state government is a coalition of GRS-PH, better known as GRS-PH Plus. The state government was previously formed by GRS and Umno, until Umno and Warisan attempted to usurp Hajiji’s administration.

“I concur with Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor that Sabah’s situation differs from Sarawak’s, where almost 90 per cent of Sarawakians and local parties support the Sarawak state government. In Sabah, there are many West Malaysian parties such as Umno, which have been established in Sabah for decades, and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu),” Chin said.

He also pointed out that since becoming Chief Minister, Hajiji has never ceased fighting for Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and thanks to the relentless effort of the GRS state government, the Federal Government has agreed to increase the special grant from RM300 million to RM600 million starting next year, compared to RM53 million during the previous government’s era.

The State Government, Chin said, is still engaged in ongoing discussions with Putrajaya on Sabah’s 40 per cent net revenue entitlement as stipulated under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.

This shows that the State Government and Chief Minister have been taking proactive efforts to pursue Sabah’s rights with the Federal Government over the past two years.

“A lot of Sabahan voters are uncertain when it comes to who to vote for due to the sheer number of political parties in Sabah. But one thing is certain, Pakatan Harapan (PH) will still be the government of the day at the federal level when Sabah holds its state election. I believe the Chief Minister has his plans on how to reach a consensus with the Federal Government in the coming state polls.

“In Sabah, we have the local party-based GRS coalition led by Datuk Seri PanglimaHajiji Noor, Warisan led by Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal and BN-Umno headed by Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin.

“It should be very clear to Sabahans who the better choice is among these three leaders. We believe that Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor knows how best to work with the Federal Government or reach a consensus on pursuing Sabah’s interests,” Chin stressed.

He also stressed that GRS understands the needs of Sabahans and the people of Sabah have sent a clear message that they want a local party coalition to win in the next state election.

“Hence, it is crucial for GRS component parties to secure victories in the next state election, instead of fighting over seat distribution. Every component party must have 100 per cent chance of winning in the seats they intend to contest in.

“After we win the state election, we can sit down and discuss how best to pursue the best interests for Sabah. Our mission now is to demonstrate our sincerity to earn the people’s trust. It is vital to field winnable candidates whom the people support.

“If we can embody true political unity in Sabah like our counterparts in Sarawak, where there is a high level of mutual trust between the government and the people, GRS will certainly achieve victory in the coming state election and build a stronger, more prosperous Sabah,” Chin said.

When speaking to reporters later, Chin said that his trust is in GRS and posed this question, “in this current situation, do you have a better choice in Sabah?”

Meanwhile Hajiji who is GRS chairman officiated the opening of the congress and when asked by reporters of the challenges the coalition faces which he mentioned in his speech said,” Yes there are many challenges … this is politics.”

To a further question of if the current issues such as the bribery allegation involving several state assemblymen, Hajiji said that those who slanders must take responsibility for their action.

Asked about the same issue, Chin opined that there is a political motive behind it.

“If there is proof then go to the MACC and relevant authority,” he stressed.