PRESS RELEASE
Kota Kinabalu, 17 July 2001

PBS : Yong’s formula an ‘after thought’

Kota Kinabalu, Mon – Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) today described BN candidate Datuk Yong Teck Lee’s three-point pledge to deal with the issue of phantom voters as an "after thought" and one that "is nothing more than a typical election promise."

PBS deputy president Dr Maximus Ongkili said such so-called three-pronged formula was almost a decade overdue and should have been implemented immediately when the Barisan Nasional overthrew the then PBS government in 1994 if it was sincere in solving the problem of phantom voters.

"Concerns about phantom voters and illegal immigrants were expressed by PBS when Datuk Yong Teck Lee and others now in the Barisan National were still in the party and many of them even made public statements to the effect.

"After joining the Barisan Nasional these leaders became silent on the issue with many even denying that there was such a thing as ‘phantom voters’.

"It is therefore a welcome change that BN leaders like Datuk Yong Teck Lee now concur with PBS that there are indeed phantom voters especially in the Likas roll to the extent that an all-party committee is required," he stressed.

Ongkili who is also Bandau MP and Tandek Assemblyman said if the Barisan Nasional was sincere in solving the problem, the action proposed by Yong should have been taken years ago, adding "clearly this is just another election-time political gimmick by the Barisan Nasional."

On Yong’s proposal for an all-party committee in the State Assembly to address the problem of phantom voters, Ongkili described it as redundant and unnecessary.

"The All-Party Ad hoc Committee on Illegal Immigration formed by the State Assembly recently has taken up PBS’ proposal made in tabling the motion that it should include in the terms of reference the subject of phantom voters and electoral roll cleansing. There is therefore no need for another committee to be formed," he explained.

Ongkili added that Yong was supposed to be a member of the Committee but because of the High Court judgement he had ceased to be member.