Gabungan Sabah a BN-friendly opposition, claims Bumburing

KOTA KINABALU: Opposition minnows Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) fired another salvo at Gabungan Sabah, just after a similar snub by Parti Warisan Sabah, saying the local four-party coalition is nothing but a Barisan Nasional-friendly outfit.

At the same time, the party announced it was prepared to work with Pakatan Harapan and Warisan to defeat the ruling BN in the coming elections.

Its president, Wilfred Bumburing, told a throng of supporters, when unveiling PCS’ 13-point manifesto here today, not to be fooled by the ruse, claiming the Gabungan parties were actually pro-BN.

“We pulled out from Gabungan Sabah because we did not want to work with parties that are friendly to Barisan Nasional,” he said, adding, “what you see about Gabungan Sabah openly criticising BN is actually not true.”

Gabungan Sabah consists of Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah STAR), Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

Warisan had earlier also distanced itself from Gabungan with its president, Shafie Apdal, saying they would not work with them as he had doubts about the party leaders in the coalition.

Speaking to FMT after delivering his policy speech, Bumburing went into specifics.

Bumburing addressing party members during the unveiling of PCS ‘ 13-point manifesto

He said STAR Sabah president Jeffrey Kitingan is with Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in the My Sabah group. Even SAPP president Yong Teck Lee, he said, referring to a group of politicians formed by Anifah to discuss Sabah state rights last year.

“And we have information that there have been meetings among the leaders. Yong also admitted to me that he has been seeing (Communications and Multimedia Minister) Salleh Said Keruak to ask for Labuan back. I asked him why are you seeing Salleh? You should be seeing the prime minister (for that).

“And the registration of Lajim Ukin’s party (Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah) was approved in four and a half days. I asked him: ‘Have you been meeting (Deputy Prime Minister) Zahid (Hamidi)?’ He said: ‘Yes’.

“‘For what?’ He said to speed up the party’s application.

“You think if they are not BN-friendly, this was possible?

“I had submitted my party’s registration application right after the 13th general election but I have not heard any news about it to this day,” Bumburing said, referring to his bid to register Parti Anak Asal Sabah (Asal) before he took over PCS.

He also told reporters that PCS was looking to contest seats that have a high Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) presence, pointing out this could change.

Supporters listening to Bumburing speak.

“I can’t say how many for now but we are willing to talk. We cannot be greedy. But there are areas PCS must take, like the predominantly KDM areas.

“Maybe Sulaman, we will give to Parti Warisan Sabah but I can’t say much for now.

“Everything is subject to negotiations,” he said, adding he would stand in Tamparuli “if my people allow me” and that PCS was also strong in Kiulu.

“We work with our friends. If we are at loggerheads, it will only benefit BN.”

In his speech earlier, Bumburing said PCS was willing to work with parties that were aligned to their struggle.

“There is no one party that can take on Barisan Nasional on its own, just like in Malaya. Pakatan Harapan (PH) was formed with that in mind.

“We welcome the willingness by Warisan to work with us. We will also work with PH. We are confident that with this cooperation, the Sabah people will support us to take Barisan head-on and, at the same time, reject the BN-friendly parties,” he said.

PCS’ manifesto contained, among others, the party’s fight to uphold the Malaysia Agreement 1963, the First Born policy, which is to fight for recognition of those born in Sabah before or in 1963 (formation of Malaysia), land rights, total abolition of the goods and services tax (GST), instead of merely exemption, and improvements to infrastructure.

“The only clear development is the Pan Borneo Highway, which should have been done long before but the BN government only gave priority to development in Malaya.

“They already have eight-dual carriageways there and here we are talking about Pan Borneo for now,” Bumburing said, adding GE14 would be the “mother of all elections” -FMT