Lajim: We need new leaders for Sabah

Lajim Ukin defected because 'many of the important issues' in Sabah were not resolved.

KUCHING: It has taken Beaufort MP Lajim Ukin 18 years to realise the prevalence of corruption, abuse of power, Umno’s internal strife and that issues affecting Sabah and Sarawak have yet to be resolved.

“I have learnt a lot from what I have gathered while serving as a deputy minister in Kuala Lumpur..

“After 18 years of Barisan Nasional rule in Sabah, the changes are not comprehensive or overall. Many important issues which should have been resolved have not been settled.

“We want the federal government to overcome issues and problems raised by Sabah as well as Sarawak, but those problems remain unresolved,” he told reporters when accompanying de facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim on a weekend visit here.

Lajim, who was deputy minister of housing and local government, recently resigned from all posts in Umno and joined forces with Pakatan Rakyat.

Lajim said his decision to move was a bid on his part to hold the Umno-led federal government accountable.

“Solving Sabah Sarawak issues is the responsibility of the federal gvernment.

“For me and my colleagues, if the party [Umno, which is a leader party in ruling BN] is unable to resolve all these issues, why do we have to wait?

“Therefore, we need to find a new leadership which can promise something good to the people, not for individuals or my own personal interest, but for the people of Sabah.

“That is why I have made the decision to quit all posts in the party, including as divisional and branch head and an Umno supreme council member, ” he said, adding that Umno was plagued with internal trouble and that corruption and abuse of power was rife.

While he still remained an ordinary Umno member, Lajim believes that there is a “high possibility” that he will be sacked.

The party had issued him a show-cause letter on July 30, giving him 14 days to reply.

“I am of the view that there is a high possibility that I will not reply to the letter because I know for sure that they will sack me, anyway,” he added.

‘I am confident’

Asked whether it was difficult for him to leave Umno, Lajim said: “It is not so difficult if you have confidence in yourself.

“If you don’t have the confidence and you have certain vested interests, you will be afraid and will face difficulties later.

“But for me, I don’t have any special vested interest and have nothing to hide.

“The only interest that I have is to protect the interest of the people of Sabah whom I represent as a MP and as a leader from Sabah,” he said.

Lajim said that there is a high possibility that more people will follow in his footsteps and join the opposition.

“You wait for tomorrow [yesterday] and more after Hari Raya,” said Lajim.

Lajim joined Umno in 1994 after quitting Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). His resignation led to the collapse of PBS-led government.

In a related development, Senator Maijol Mahap announced his resignation from BN and United Pasokmomogun Kadazan-Dusun Murut Organisation (Upko) yesterday in the presence of Anwar.

Maijol, who was Upko vice-president, is the second leader from the party to resign and join forces with Pakatan. The first was Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing, who was also the party’s deputy president. Bumburing resigned on July 29.

It was reported that thousands of Upko members had also resigned along with their leaders.

Their resignations are likely to jolt not only Upko but also the State BN, although party president Bernard Dompok has denied it.