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Wednesday 18 August 2010

Irresponsible To Imply Umno A Hindrance To 1Malaysia - Salleh

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Sabah Umno liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has expressed regret over a fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leader's remark that Umno was a hindrance to the promotion of the 1Malaysia concept.

Describing the remark as irresponsible, the former Sabah chief minister said there should be no doubt that Sabah Umno thoroughly comprehended and was fully committed to the concept of 1Malaysia.

"There is, therefore, no need for United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to question whether Umno understood the true meaning or spirit of the 1Malaysia concept.

"As a federal cabinet minister and president of a BN component party, Tan Sri Bernard should know that Umno is fully committed to the 1Malaysia concept, especially since the concept is mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is the president of Umno Malaysia," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Salleh was responding to news reports quoting Dompok as saying that while the prime minister was sincere in his concept of 1Malaysia, what concerned him was whether Najib would be allowed by his party and those surrounding him to carry out the tasks that he was required to do.

The Upko Zone C (Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar and Putatan) Convention on Sunday, saw Upko divisional leaders reiterating their dissatisfaction, following requests by Umno leaders for more seats, including one held by Upko, as well as over the long-standing issue of illegal immigrants in the state.

Salleh said it was normal for political parties to ask for seats but the final decision would ultimately be made by BN's top leadership. On the issue of illegal immigrants, Salleh said it was unfair to give the wrong perception to the rakyat that the federal and state governments were doing nothing to solve the problem.

"Millions (of ringgit) are being spent on security forces and high-tech equipment along our coastlines for the purpose of surveillance. "All of us want this issue resolved," he said.

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