SAPP's Yong softens stance: Not closing the door on Pakatan

Yong - Pakatan or BN?

Malaysia Chronicle

In a move that will be welcomed by Pakatan Rakyat, SAPP president Yong Teck Lee has softened his pre-election stance not to join the coalition headed by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim. Both SAPP and Pakatan had fielded candidates in the Batu Sapi by-election only to lose to PBS' Linda Tsen.

"Of course, we would welcome SAPP to re-start talks with Pakatan. We can only try our very best to come to terms for the benefit of Malaysians as a whole and Sabahans in particular," PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Bernama had reported Yong as saying he would leave it to PKR to invite SAPP to join forces in the opposition coalition.

"We have been talking with PKR at various times. But right now, we are not really in a position of strength to talk to PR. The ball is in their court. We are not closing the door," Yong was quoted as saying.

Yong also said his party had not decided whether to file a petition over the Batu Sapi polls, which has been marred by accusations of money politics, vote-buying, bribes, abuse of power and use of government machinery in contradiction to election rules.

"We have not reached the stage where we have to make a decision. We have a few weeks to decide. After all, it's only been two days after the by-election," said Yong.

"If Ansari were to file an election petition, we can provide all the evidence. We have lots of evidence. They are still coming in, in bits and pieces."

He was referring to PKR candidate, Ansari Abdullah, a prominent lawyer and head of PKR Tuaran division.