Gabungan to organise Sabah’s rights convention
KOTA KINABALU: Main opposition pact, the United Sabah Alliance (USA) or Gabungan Sabah, is organising a oneday convention on the rights of Sabah, largely based on Malaysia Agreement signed at the formation of Malaysia.
The convention is aimed at giving a clearer picture and perspective to the people of Sabah of their rights in Malaysia, said organising chairman Datuk Richard Yong.
“I believe most Sabahans are aware of the rights of Sabah some of which were somehow being reduced or not being honoured. The people deserve to know how to regain and safeguard these rights to ensure a better future.
“The convention is not about Sabah getting out of Malaysia. We want to tell the people what are our rights as a partner state of this nation.
“We want to enhance awareness of the rights of the people of Sabah,” he said.
He said the convention to be held at the Ming Garden Hotel here on August 27 between 1pm and 5 pm is the right forum for Sabahans to get a fuller picture about the issue.
Richard said the speakers are former Chief Minister who is also Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee, STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Lajim Ukin and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) president Dato Mohd Arshad Abdul Mualap.
Former Sabah Finance Minister who is also United Sabah Alliance (USA) Chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Mansur will officiate at the convention.
According to Richard, members of the public were welcome to attend the convention.
He added that the convention at Kota Kinabalu is part of USA road show statewide to meet the people, to get first hand information on the local issues and to create awareness about the pressing political issues and Sabah's rights.
He said the Kota Kinabalu Zone Convention was jointly organised by United Sabah Alliance components, that is SAPP, STAR, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and PPRS of KK zone comprising Kota Kinabalu, Putatan, Sepanggar and Penampang Parliamentaries.
He said United Sabah Alliance (Gabungan Sabah) had successfully held the “Sabah's Rights” conventions in Kota Belud, Telupid, Beaufort and Kudat separately in July and early August.
Richard said similar conventions would also be held in Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Keningau and other major towns in September and October.