LDP to raise issues at BN meeting

The Liberal Democratic Party wants to bring up several matters that are plaguing the party in the BN spirit.

KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president VK Liew will raise several issues when the Barisan Nasional supreme council meets in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president Chin Su Phin, however, did not spell out the issues troubling the party which is the second oldest in the Sabah BN after Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

“The problem is our starting point. There are things that need to be resolved within the BN spirit rather than Umno being the leader and seeing us as having only small roles,” said Chin.

“Problems can be solved as long as there’s sincerity,” he said on the sideline of the LDP Chinese New Year media luncheon here yesterday.

Asked whether he could now work with Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, he said that he “could work with anyone”.

Chin ruffled political feathers in the state late last year when he openly declared that he could no longer work with Musa.

He said that he had explained to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak why he could not work with him (Musa).

He said the main issue with Musa was over his outright rejection of issues the party raised during the last Sabah BN meeting here.

“Nevertheless, we still assisted BN in achieving victory in the Batu Sapi by-election last year,” said Chin.

“With the upcoming general election, the BN needs to remain united without any serious internal problems.”

Chin said that the party has been less vocal of late in the media following a courtesy call recently Najib.

Apparently, Najib advised the LDP delegation to discuss any issues with him and keep them within the BN.

BN roundtable

However, Chin said Najib’s advice would not deter the party from issuing statements in the press as and when they are necessary.

Although LDP is a component party of the BN, it was necessary to issue press statements related to the welfare of the people, he added.

“Some issues could not be solved at the BN roundtable,” he said. “Thus, there’s a need to voice out what the people think in the press.”

He said that many issues in Sabah were brought to the attention of Najib in the past, but they remained unresolved.

Chin pointed out that the LDP is seen as an opposition party in BN whenever there was an argument with the ruling coalition.

History shows that the LDP has never left the BN even when both it and Umno were in the opposition in the state, he added.

Chin was optimistic that the BN would be returned to power at the next general election.

He said that PKR, the glue between DAP and PAS, continues to be in internal turmoil and “lacked the ability and mutual understanding to form the government”.

LDP Youth chief Chin Shu Ying, who was also present, said he was not entirely convinced that the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) had won the support of the people although the LDP supported it.

“If it (ETP) is only superficial, the people will know and will voice their discontent at the next general election,” said Shu Ying. “We will, however, continue to play a role as a catalyst of change in BN.” - FMT