Lajim wants opposition to agree over straight fights
Published on: Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: All local and peninsula-based opposition parties in Sabah must show a united front and go for a straight fight in contesting seats if they wish to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming 14th General Election. Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat) President Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin said a roundtable discussion with all opposition parties in the State would be held after the holidays to deliberate their agendas in reaching a consensus in forming an important pact. He also recommended that the local-based opposition parties contest the State seats while the peninsula-based opposition consider contesting only parliamentary seats in Sabah.ADVERTISEMENT "We want to make sure there is no political party monopolising certain number of seats because we believe each opposition party, including the peninsula-based ones, have their own strength in the State. "Therefore, the upcoming cooperation or alliance must be long-term and based on a principle of win-win, honest and sincere in ensuring the rights, needs and interests of Sabah and the people are fully attended to."That is why the name of the alliance is not important as it can be decided later because the most important are the people of Sabah…if they see and acknowledge that there is no unity but division among us (opposition parties) then they may not have confidence in us to lead the State and the worst scenario would be they cast their votes for BN," he said, after launching Harapan Rakyat where he announced its new central leadership committee and setting up of 26 divisions including Labuan at Hakka Hall, Tuesday.Datuk Maijol Mahap and Ahsim Jamat were announced as Deputy President 1 and II followed by six vice presidents including its youth chief Jovilis Majami and Wanita Chief Ester Tion.ADVERTISEMENT Over 1,200 people comprising supporters and members attended the event. Also present were United Sabah Alliance Chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Star Sabah President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, representatives of Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and Warisan, among others.
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Lajim who has been active in politics for over three decades said local-based opposition parties should not feel that they are strong on their own to beat BN which has been ruling the country for decades. "We will also discuss thoroughly on the seats to be distributed fairly based on consensus as each party has its own strength and advantages. For instance, Warisan has strong support in the East Coast of Sabah while Harapan Rakyat on the West Coast. Lajim who was formerly Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah Chairman said he is optimistic about convincing Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to agree to the one-on-one strategy. Lajim claimed Harapan Rakyat has so far registered 25,000 members and the party is expecting more people to join for the purpose of changing the government. He said the vision and mission of Harapan Rakyat is to champion the rights of Sabah and the people, especially in autonomy, fight for 20 per cent oil royalty or more, and to ensure the State Ministry of Education together with Health Ministry, Ministry of Resources and Mining could be set up in Sabah upon a change of Federal Government at Putrajaya.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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He said the party will also fight for the abolition of the cabotage policy and Goods and Services Tax (GST) that are burdening the people of Sabah who have to endure the high prices of goods.In addition, Lajim said he will also include in the party's struggle to get back Sabah's 40 per cent entitlement of the net revenue collected by the Federal Government and ensure the rural development and basic amenities would be provided when a new alliance or coalition wins the GE14.