Stop parochialism politics, Keadilan Sabah leaders told
January 14, 2008 ( Source: Daily Express)

KOTA KINABALU : United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) has urged Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah leaders to stop misleading people with their parochialism politics.

"The moment you talk about anti-Semenanjung (anti-peninsula), then there is no place for you in politics," said Upko Vice President Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh.

Commenting on statements by PKR Sabah leaders such as Kanul Gindol, who is the political secretary to PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, the Putatan MP said for them to say those who supported leaders from Semenanjung would be rejected by the people in Sabah was "outright wrong".

According to Mojigoh, it was also wrong for PKR Sabah leaders to undermine the credibility of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi because he is not the Prime Minister for just one particular state or race.

"He is a very loveable person who carries out his duty as the Prime Minister of Malaysians," he said when met after officiating at a variety show in conjunction with the Fifth Brigade's 44th anniversary at the Lok Kawi Camp, near here, Saturday.

On the contrary, Mojigoh said the struggle of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in Sabah was the equation of development.

"This has been the agenda of the BN all this while and is reflected in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), in which Sabah and Sarawak were given huge allocations for development," he said.

Mojigoh believed the people are supportive of the agenda of the Prime Minister, that is to rid corruption, promote unity and integrity, which would be translated into votes for the BN in the coming general election and return it as the Government.

"We also welcome the statements by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to address the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah. We (BN component parties) are supportive of the move to find a solution to the issue that everybody has been talking about almost every day," he said.

However, with the parochialism mentality it would only create greater gaps between the developed and undeveloped areas, rich and poor, among others, he said.

It was for this reason that the BN was being represented by a mixture of leaders from the all the races in the country to ensure not one single community is left out as the Government took measures to eliminate the disparity, he said. Mojigoh said it was also important for all the people to be reminded on the importance of religious tolerance.

"There is no place for religious extremism but all of us, including the opposition, should be looking at inculcating such tolerance among the people so that the existing development can continue to benefit the people," he said.

Mojigoh said the statement by Kanul, who called on the people to reject leaders from the peninsula, showed "he is a confused person."

"We don't want such politicians to mislead the people. We are matured enough," he said.