Bumburing’s party now called Angkatan Perpaduan Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Angkatan Perubahan Sabah ( APS) passed a motion to amend its name to Angkatan Perpaduan Sabah in its biennial general meeting here yesterday.

Its president, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing, said the decision was made to reflect APS’ shift of focus from change in Malaysia to unity of Sabahans.

He said APS was a non-governmental organisation ( NGO) formed in 2012 to participate in the 13th General Election (GE13).

At that time, he said APS had joined hands with other NGOs and political parties to effect a change in Malaysia, and therefore its name ‘ Angkatan Perubahan Sabah’.

Since the major political change in GE14, Bumburing said APS had to refocus its activities on unity of the ‘original’ people of Sabah.

He said that in a press conference during APS biennial general meeting here yesterday.

He also raised his concern about alleged issuance of identification cards

“The State Government has been denying it but we have received information that this is being done, like giving PR status to people without due process of the law. This is a great concern to us at APS. Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing, Angkatan Perpaduan Sabah president

and permanent resident ( PR) status to people without proper procedure.

“The State Government has been denying it but we have received information that this is being done, like giving PR status to people without due process of the law. This is a great concern to us at APS.”

Additionally, Bumburing urged the government to have clear policies about undocumented children being allowed to enter public schools.

He said he understood that the government was sympathetic towards stateless children.

However, he pointed out that students were required to pay various fees when attending school.

“Who will pay for these stateless children? Is the government going to pay for them?”

Bumburing said he had been personally approached by parents whose children were not permitted to sit for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

“At least some kind of document should be given to people who do not have documents,” he said.

The biennial general meeting yesterday also saw the election of new office bearers of APS, in which Bumburing was re- elected as president for another term.

Meawhile, Amru Abdul Kadir was elected as deputy president, Paul Kadau, Jornah Mozihim, Denis Gimpa and Shalmon Sanangan as vice presidents.

The election ordinary members are Yapp Chung Ming @ James Yapp, Alexander Bin Anting, Jumin Parit, Soguli Olid, Alex Bin Kando, Damian Bin Podtung, Julita Gitom, Evelene Mingkong, Richard Jeibi Sekunir, Herman Mianus, Elbert Sikuil, Dos Panggal, Mail Balinu, Rimin Bin Maun, Mary Binti Mahun, Jenddy Undi Sanggau, Peter Daholok, Maidin Bin Atak and Mohd Hadzrul Masnin.