Yong fields questions from reporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
KOTA KINABALU (Oct 7): Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee believes that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition will no longer exist by the time the upcoming state election arrives.
“I dont think there will be a GRS coalition after the election. During the nomination day you will see the problems in GRS, PH (Pakatan Harapan) and so on and BN (Barisan Nasional). During the nomination you will see it. They will be fighting amongst themselves.”
“Those on top will be fighting, parties will be fighting, candidates will be fighting, the grassroots will be fighting. So I don’t see GRS still around after the election,” said Yong, who was at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to welcome STAR Sabah president, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan who arrived from Kuala Lumpur at around 5pm on Tuesday, together with 200 over supporters from both parties.
He predicted that a new coalition, the Sabah Bloc, comprising only local-based parties, would eventually form the next state government.
“A coalition of Sabah local parties only will form the government. That is my prediction,” he said.
Yong also ruled out any possibility of returning to GRS, even after the election.
Asked if there was room for reconciliation, he replied curtly: “Tadalah” (none).
Yong reaffirmed SAPP’s alliance with STAR Sabah, saying both parties shared the same long-term struggle for “Sabah for Sabahans” and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“For decades, we have fought together. Since the last election, we have been together. The ideology and struggle between STAR and SAPP have been identical from way before,” he said.
On seat allocations, Yong said it was still too early to discuss specifics as the State Legislative Assembly had just been dissolved and the Election Commission had yet to announce key dates.
He was also asked if he would be contesting in the 17th PRN, replying :” It is still too early.”
When pressed if he was planning a political comeback, he responded: “Comeback? I never left. The struggle is the same.”
He was again asked to disclose the targetted SAPP areas.
“It will come. We are waiting for SPR to make an announcement as to when the nomination will take place and when is the election date.”
He said SAPP was currently in discussions with other local parties and reiterated that their focus was on uniting Sabah-based political movements.
“Only Sabah local parties. I have said this before, the struggle must have a purpose. Don’t be like a dog chasing after a car,” he said.
“For us in SAPP, we have been with STAR for several years. We share the same struggle and ideology, so it is easy for us to have discussions. We are not starting only today. We’ve been together through ups and downs for many years already,” Yong added.
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