PENANG: The departure of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from the Barisan Nasional (BN) is an indicator that the BN must initiate reforms and do more, said Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Koh said though the party was not surprised with the SAPP’s move, Gerakan leaders felt saddened and concerned by the eventual decision of the SAPP leadership to leave the BN.
“The signs and signals of grievances and unhappiness have been there for a few months. In a way, they also reflected the many issues and concerns in Sabah that remain unresolved or only partially so.
“Therefore, it is important that the BN-led federal and state governments double concerted efforts in addressing these issues and concerns which include poverty and imbalanced development, illegal immigrants, infrastructure shortages, revenue sharing among others.
“Both the BN Supreme Council and the BN Management Committee recently discussed these issues. Special allocations were made in the 2009 Budget, but the challenge now is efficient delivery and effective implementation,” Koh said in a statement.
He said there is a need for BN and the government to do more for Sabah and Sarawak, being the two largest, more resource-endowed yet less developed states.
Politically, Koh said, these two states are crucial to BN’s continued strength and stability.
He said BN must also return to and reaffirm the basic principles and spirit of BN since its formation, which is to strive for all Malaysians to achieve a united, just, liberal, progressive and democratic nation as reflected in the objectives of the Rukun Negara.
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