Party's proposal appropriate, says Upko Youth
KOTA KINABALU: Newly-elected Upko National Youth Chief Felix Joseph Saang chaired his first Upko Youth Exco Meeting at the party’s headquarters yesterday.
Present at the meeting were Upko Deputy Youth Chief Kennedy John Angian, Vice Youth Chief Petrus Conrad Mojuntin and other newly-elected Exco members.
Among the agenda deliberated were the appointment of Upko Youth’s new exco line-up. Several important matters were raised in the meeting, among which are the direction, planning and other current pertinent issues faced by the party.
Felix said that the appointment of government posts has been a hot issue as of late; many have voiced out their opinions and stand on this issue.
“What happened recently, namely the appointment of the Community Development Leaders (PPM) and various other positions has caused dissatisfaction among many parties.
“As a leader, I am aware of the fact that you cannot please everybody. However, we must try our best to balance it out so that the harmony and unity between the parties in the coalition can be strengthened. There are many ways to address the issue if all parties are willing to sit together sincerely with open minds,” Felix said.
“Personally, I think that Upko is a party that is very practical, rational and realistic. We did not demand for things that are out of capabilities and strengths.
“To me, Upko’s proposal in the issue of appointment is appropriate, logical and did not cross the line,” he said.
“If we look at the country’s current political development, inclusivity and the distribution of power in every level, from the rural areas to the highest level is vital in strengthening the people’s support towards the government,” he added.
Felix said Upko Youth agrees with the proposal of the prompt establishment of the Presidential Council - this is so that more balanced and detailed discussions and consensus could be achieved for future appointments.
“For Upko Youth, our intention and goal is clear, we want to see this coalition government become stronger; for the component parties to have a full cooperation, respect, confidence and trust between each other.”
On a separate note, Felix said that Upko Youth will stand firm behind the party’s leadership, under the newly elected president Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau - to fight for the rights of Sabah.
Upko Youth fully supports the party’s stand in which it wants all the identification cards to be taken back and to only give identification cards to those who are eligible for it, according to the Federal Constitution. The illegal immigrants issue in Sabah must be the top priority of the current government.
Upko Youth also welcomes the efforts of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to return the ‘equal partner’ status to Sabah. All Sabahans would surely be following the development closely, he said.