LDP's absence too glaring: Salleh
Published on: Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Kota Kinabalu: The absence of top echelon leaders from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the Chief Minister and State Cabinet Hari Raya Open House in Likas, last Wednesday, did not go unnoticed.State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said Keruak hoped it was due to them being unavailable rather than a boycott, saying it was not right for Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to boycott the Hari Raya open house held by Muslim members of the State Cabinet.He said they should respect one another despite their political differences in line with the BN spirit and the concept of 1Malaysia.
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He also said they ought to respect the leadership of the State Government, even though they may not see eye-to-eye on certain issues."Maybe they were too busy but if there were elements of boycott, I'd (rather) leave it to the LDP to comment," he told reporters during his Raya open house at the State Assembly building, Monday. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and members of the State Cabinet were among those present. Salleh said many people (including leaders from BN coalition parties) came to the Raya open house hosted by Musa and Muslim members of the State Cabinet. However, he noted there was hardly any from the LDP.Strangely, he said LDP leaders attended the Raya open house hosted by Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin on the first day of Aidilfitri on Aug. 30.
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"They were also willing to go to Semporna and Papar to attend the open houses by (Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Mohd) Shafie (Apdal) and (Pantai Manis Assemblyman Datuk) Abdul Rahim (Ismail)," he said.Nevertheless, Salleh said it is unnecessary for the LDP to give any explanation on the matter. "Some people were only querying why they did not attend (the CM's Raya open house)," he said.
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On the non-attendance of Shafie and Abdul Rahim at the Chief Minister and State Cabinet Hari Raya Open House, he said the duo probably had commitments elsewhere.He also said that the Hari Raya open house is open to all and that there is no pressure on anyone to be there. "If you can't attend because you are busy, there is no problem, but if it is a boycott, it is unhealthy," he said.When contacted, LDP President Datuk VK Liew, denied any planned boycott on its part."As matured politicians we never boycott any government event, so please don't make speculative statements," he said, and suggested Salleh check his facts before making such statement."As a matter of fact, LDP was represented at the open house by Youth Chief, Chin Shu Ying and a divisional leader, Datuk Lee Chuen Wen."Just because they are not in the picture, we are accused of not being there," he said, adding it so happened on that day most of LDP elected representatives, including him, had to return to their respective constituencies to attend programmes with their constituents.On the question of him going all the way to Papar to attend the open house hosted by Rahim, Liew said:"Is there any restriction for me to go anywhere? This is Hari Raya so I will visit many places É I don't think this should become an issue. This is Hari Raya, a festivity, don't politicise it. We should celebrate Hari Raya with a gracious heart." Furthermore, Liew said Rahim's open house was held on Friday and the State Government's one was on Wednesday.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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