268. Shut up if not keen to join

Shut up if not keen to join

Published on: Sunday, January 04, 2015  Daily Express

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah DAP Chairman Jimmy Wong should "think local" instead of criticising the efforts of three political parties in Sabah and 21 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to set up an Independent Committee to push the Federal Government to take actions to solve the illegals problem in the State.
Secretary of the Independent Monitoring and Action Committee on RCI, James Stephens, said this in response to Wong who criticised the formation of the Committee headed by Star Sabah Chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on Thursday.
"There are notable leaders in the Independent Committee including Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, former State Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Noor Mansoor, former Deputy Federal Minister Datuk Kalakau Untol, former assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang and activist Daniel John Jambun as well as a host of fresh faces of an emerging new generation of Sabahan activitist.
"The Independent Committee, known as the 'Monitoring and Action Committee', has made it clear that like-minded parties and NGOs may join the committee.
"If Wong, who is also Kota Kinabalu MP, considers that he or his party can give input and proposals in solving the long outstanding illegals problem, then of course, he is welcomed.
"Although the Committee has met four times, it is still not too late for Wong and his colleagues to join us," said Stephens.
However, he said if Wong does not wish to join, then he and other DAP leaders should respect local parties and NGOs in their efforts to address the perennial issue.
"It is sad that so far, neither Wong nor the DAP has come up with any proposal on how to solve the illegals problem in Sabah.
"Neither did the DAP as a party has presented any proposal or witness to the RCI hearing during its yearlong public hearings," Stephens said.
He said the illegals problem in Sabah is a very serious one that affects Sabah and the people of Sabah in every aspect.
"As concerned Malaysians in Sabah, everyone should put in an effort to assist in resolving the mess now that there is an opportunity to do so," he said.