Media statement (2) by Dr. Edwin Bosi in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday, 4^th March 2012:

DAP Sabah to people - Change the government

DAP Sabah reminded the people not to gamble their future by returning BN to power in the coming 13^th general election. It has been proven that for the last 48 years BN has not done much for Sabah. One of their greatest sins it to turn a very resource-rich Sabah into the poorest State in Malaysia as stated by the World Bank. Poverty is the highest at 40% amongst the ethnic Rungus community. The disparity in infrastructure development between Malaya and Sarawak for example is so wide. While the national budget hovered at about 220 Billion only 6% of this (less than 10 Billions) return to Sabah and Sarawak despite the fact that these two countries contribute substantially to the national coffer from their oil and gas, and oil palms.

DAP Sabah leaders also reminded the people that the government is now thinking of getting away with the NCR land. The statement from Sabah Attorney-General Datuk Roderic Fernandez that there is no NCR land after 1931 is basically the stand of the government unless there is clarification from Roderic himself. DAP Sabah is not going to sit idle on the NCR issue. The native leaders in DAP Sabah is challenging the Chief Minister and the UMNO-led BN government to pass a motion in the coming March 2012 Assembly sitting to amend the Sabah land Ordinance to state that the cut-off date of the NCR land is 1931.

DAP Sabah leaders also talked about the Buku Jingga and the list of offers Pakatan Rakyat Sabah has pledged for Sabah. They include among others the respect for the NCR land, to increase the oil royalty to 20%, establishment of the RCI on illegal immigrant, restoration of the Yayasan Sabah dividends and providing a RM1 Billion fund to the Natives of Sabah. The people were reminded that they do not have to beg to the government to establish the RCI on illegal immigrant for example. This will be done as soon as Pakatan Rakyat takes over Putrajaya. So this is the difference between BN and Pakatan Rakyat.

DAP Sabah leaders urge the people to be brave and change the government. We cannot depend on a government that is not caring. The rising cost of living and the stagnant income is moving many people into the poor and abject poor brackets. We need a government that can manage the country well. The Pakatan Rakyat-led governments in Penang and Selangor have shown that they are more than capable to govern and manage the States. In view of this, the two-party system is very relevant and the way forward. The people were reminded that they are now empowered to choose between BN and Pakatan Rakyat. You deserve the government you vote in, the leaders concluded. If the government is below your expectation by all means kick it out in the next general election.

* Dr. Edwin Bosi, DAP Sabah State Secretary