KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) withdrawal from Perikatan Nasional shows it would not have been a dependable ally in the upcoming 17th state election, says a Sabah Bersatu leader.
In a statement on Tuesday (Dec 17), Sabah Bersatu leadership body secretary Yunus Nordin said the party agreed with the Perikatan supreme council's Dec 9 decision to accept SAPP's exit from the coalition.
"It is clear that SAPP is no longer a dependable ally for Perikatan to face the upcoming state elections.
"This decision by Perikatan (to accept SAPP's exit) is appropriate given that party's actions and statements, especially from its president (Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee), which contradict the coalition's aspirations and objectives in Sabah," he added.
ALSO READ: SAPP withdraws from Perikatan coalition, remains with GRS
Yunus said SAPP's departure was among the key points discussed at a Sabah Bersatu meeting on Saturday (Dec 14), chaired by Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.
Preparations for the state election, due around September next year, were also discussed with a focus on strengthening the party and coalition's machinery at all levels, he said.
"Sabah Bersatu will soon initiate discussions on seat allocations with coalition partners," he added.
Sabah Perikatan comprises Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP).
SAPP, while still part of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, was the only Sabah-based party with Perikatan until recently.
ALSO READ: Kiandee: SAPP's departure has little impact
Sabah STAR, meanwhile, left the opposition coalition and joined the unity government through GRS early last year.
Last week Yong announced that the SAPP supreme council had decided on Nov 23 to leave Perikatan.
Yong said the decision was made because it had become clear that Perikatan wanted to contest the state election.
"This position contradicts SAPP's stand and policy that all 73 state constituencies should only be contested by local Sabah parties," he said.
