The Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp), the ex-BN component party that pulled out of the ruling coalition in September after expressing a lack of confidence in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership, is on a statewide membership drive in both urban and rural areas.

Riding on the major discontentment of many Sabahans over a series of much-publicised state grouses, the party, led by former chief minister Yong Teck Lee, a former founding leader of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) that once ruled the state as an opposition government, is widening its appeal across the state, according to party leaders.

They claim there are far more people joining the party than leaving it.

chong pit fah"In fact, only one member has resigned from Sapp in the constituency of Kota Belud," the party’s information chief Chong Pit Fah said in a statement to Malaysiakini today.

This, according to him, was based on Kapitan Lim Shim Min’s announcement to the local media recently that he was resigning from Sapp.

"For reason best known to himself, Lim has not followed up his announcement with his resignation letter," Chong said

Local leaders, members briefed

He noted that Lim’s antics were similar to former Sapp deputy president Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, one of Sabah’s three deputy chief ministers, who had initially announced his resignation but submitted his letter of resignation much later.

Chong said this was revealed to local leaders and members of Sapp in a program held in Kota Belud recently. Beside being briefed on the roadmap for Sapp, they were also informed of latest political developments and local issues.

A ceremony was also held to receive the membership forms of 252 new members from Kampung Gensurai, Kampung Nabalu and Kota Peladok

yong teck leePresent were Sapp president Yong, deputy presidents Eric Majimbun and Liew Teck Chan, as well as party advisor Paul Wong, vice-president Don Chin, youth chief Edward Dagul and supreme councilor Benny Quek.