PBS : Go for the real election

PRESS RELEASE KIULU, 14 JUNE 1997
PBS: GO FOR THE REAL ELECTION

KIULU, Sat. – Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) today challenged the Barisan Nasional State government to dissolve the Legislative Assembly and call for a state election rather than wasting resources to conduct a polls dry run.

Its deputy president Dr Maximus Ongkili said the people of Sabah were waiting eagerly for the next state election in view of the massive woes faced by the government, particularly its inability to fulfill election promises and the appalling state of the government’s finances.

Dr Ongkili who was speaking at a PBS branch meeting in Kampung Pantok near here today commented on State BN Chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee’s announcement on the coalition’s election dry run which began yesterday.

"The BN State leaders must be reminded that the present government did not have a mandate from the people because they did not win the last election. It is not a government of the people but rather only a government of YBs many of whom betrayed the mandate of the voters because they won their seats on PBS tickets and later leap-frogged to other BN parties.

"Why waste time and resources conducting election dry runs? Dissolve the Assembly and go for the real election to restore dignity to the electoral process", he argued.

The Langkon Assemblyman claimed PBS was ready to face the BN in the next election.

"Our machinery is ready and we notice that the voters are also mentally prepared. The people want a change of government to restore the dignity of Sabah", he said.

Dr Ongkili also queried the State government on the rational for just a one-day sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 19 June.

"We understand that Assemblymen have submitted almost 200 questions to be answered by respective ministers but only about 10% of it will be answered because of lack of time.

"There are at least three bills to be tabled so the House should sit at least two or three days to give sufficient time for ministers to answer questions.

"The public is of the opinion that the government is worried of being questioned and therefore trying to avoid issues that are of immense public interest by limiting the time for Assemblymen to debate the bills and ask questions. Otherwise what is the logic of allowing only one-day sitting especially when the last sitting was more than seven months ago?" he asked.

The Bandau Member of Parliament alleged that the government was on the defensive and urged that it should act responsibly and openly answer the numerous issues that beset the administration.

"The Assembly Sitting should be the best venue to explain such issues and this can only be done if sufficient days are allocated for its sitting", he said.