KOTA KINABALU: A daughter of former Sabah Deputy Chief Minister the late Datuk Dr James Ongkili was among the Parti Sedar Rakyat (Sedar), Sabah Chapter leaders’ line-up elected during the party’s state liaison committee first annual general meeting here Saturday.
Julia Emelda Ongkili was elected deputy chairman. Elected president was Prof Ariffin Willie Mohamad. Veteran journalist Kanul Gindol, who is the party protem chairman for Kedamaian was elected one of the nine committee members.
Launching the the Sarawak-based Sedar Sabah chapter during the meeting, its president Datuk Othman Abdillah said it would contest all seats in the next Sabah election.
“We have potential candidates on standby and are targeting 100,000 members this year. As of now, we already have 4,000 within in a month,” he told reporters after the meeting the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
Sabah is now served by no less than a dozen parties, the majority of the either aligned to Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional or Barisan Nasional. At least one party, Sabah-based SAPP has a leg each in both ruling PH and opposition PN.
He denied that a new party would further divide the people in Sabah’s already crowded political scene.
“Sabah politics is inherently split with or without additional parties. The current State Government comprises various parties, you need various parties to get a simple majority. This itself explains that Sabah politics is divided. Nobody is splitting the situation as it is already split, ”Othman said.
He said the people need to find the best ones, a real party that can truly fight for the people.
“Most importantly, a party that does not endorse corruption, only then we can make Sabah prosper,” he added.
Sedar was formed in June 2018 and received the approval to go national by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) last August.The party’s abbreviation “Sedar”formed its tagline “Sentiasa Elak Dari Amalan Rasuah” (Always Refrain from Corrupt Practices).
It would champion creating a progressive community with priority in improving human capacity that supports freedom of thought, strengthening knowledge, encouraging talent and innovation and solidifying harmony between all races.
Othman said the party is currently taking a government-friendly stand.
“We do not want to interfere with the current situation – we will support whoever forms the government. But when the term ends, we will contest against them as we know we can do better,” he said.
He also said the only way to fight for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak is via the Borneo Bloc.
“We (Sabah and Sarawak) share the common problems, especially on MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963).
“But when you talk about representations in the committees set up by several past governments, Sabah would have its team, and so did Sarawak and the Federal Government. “Why not make it simple? We fight under one voice – Sabah and Sarawak make a pact to fight for MA63,” Othman said.
Ariffin said the party would focus on education and socio-economic improvement in Sabah.
“We will strive to help the people to achieve excellence,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking to Talantang, Kanul said, “While Sabahans are looking for fresh leaders with knowledge, vision and integrity, I am not too sure if we can convince them to look for ones in less known party like Sedar.”
“And for this reason, I see myself at best as interim or temporary in my small role in the party. I wish for able younger leaders to help Prof Ariffin to helm the State,” Kanul said.
Other elected to the state liaison committee are vice chairpersons are Jasni Badali, Nilis Joseph and Shirley Joe Doukin. The secretary is Husain Mohamad and his assistant is Nurul Ashikin Willie. The treasurer is Bonepes Been while his assistant is Anuar Muhammad.
The committee members are Maini Mali @ Mahali, Rimin Maun, Kanul Gindol, Polinuh Majin, Stephen George Wong, Asmi Alam, Awang Basri, Sidin Najam, and Awang Asim. – Talantang 14 January 2024.
