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Looks like Malaysian Borneo's SAPP's plan to topple Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) has hit an early snag. By the time June 18 was over half-an-hour ago, none of SAPP's fellow-BN component parties has voiced support for Yong's plan.In Sarawak, Sabah's neighbour in east Malaysia, all of its BN component parties have instead come out in support of Pak Lah. In fact, they were unanimous in pledging their support, according to the Star's Kuching correspondent, Sharon Ling.
Dr Stephen Rundi, secretary-general of PBB which is the backbone of the Sarawak BN, said the party would continue to stay behind the Prime Minister. PBB is the party of Sarawak Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud who has led the State since 1981.
"During his last visit to Sarawak on June 10, we pledged our full support to him and this is not going to change," he said, adding that the party's MPs would not support a vote of no confidence against Pak Lah.
SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said this was not an appropriate moment to "play politics" as the country was going through difficult times and needed to stabilise.
"We have to make sure that everyone pulls together in difficult times and it's beter for everyone to work together under the present Prime Minister," he said, adding that SUPP's six MPs were behind Abdullah.
According to PRS president Datuk Dr James Masing, it was unfortunate that SAPP should choose to table a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister at this time.
"This is a time when all component parties must stand firmly behind BN and the leadership of the Prime Minister," he said.
"All six MPs from PRS will stand together behind the Prime Minister," he said.
SPDP deputy president Datuk Peter Nyarok said his party strongly supported Abdullah as BN chairman and Prime Minister of Malaysia.
He said SPDP's four MPs would not support any no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister in Parliament and advised SAPP to think twice about it. History repeating itself?
Meanwhile, over in Peninsular or mainland Malaysia, the Chinese-based MCA and Indian-based MIC which have been UMNO's loyal partners since even before Malaysia was formed have also come out in open support of Pak Lah. MCA is also the largest Chinese party within the coalition formerly known as Alliance while MIC is the largest Indian party. Another Chinese-based party, Gerakan alo deplored SAPP's move.
Back in Sabah, neither PBS nor UPKO which the national tabloid The Sun speculated yesterday that would follow SAPP's move has come out to support it. Both parties are Kadazan-based BN component parties and are led by former Chief Ministers.
Even the opposition DAP (aka the Rocket), which is supposed to welcome SAPP's move with open arms, has questioned its motive instead. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was quoted of saying: "The SAPP's move is unusual. The only thing for SAPP to do now is to leave the BN. But why is the party not leaving BN? What is its motive? How is it that the party wants to table such a motion when it is still part of the coalition?," he asked, as if hinting that SAPP may be play-acting or just testing the water.
Asked if DAP would support SAPP's motion, Lim who is Penang chief minister said if the Sabah party wanted DAP's support, then they would have to rationalise their decision.
"After all, the SAPP only has two MPs and they don't really decide on the downfall of the BN government," he said sarcastically.
But those are not the only hitches that SAPP is facing. There is one final hitch - The minister-in-charge of Parliamentary affairs, Nazri Aziz said the planned motion is not going to happen on Monday or any time after that.
"The truth is the motion is not going to see the light of day as daily government business takes precedence in the House. However, whether or not the motion is accepted is dependant on the Speaker," he said, pointing out that up to now, the SAPP has not submitted any motion to the Speaker.
Nazri said two provisions under the Standing Orders, the first 27(1) provided for a motion to be tabled by any member on any specific subject but the member must give a 14-day notice.
"Even if this motion is accepted by the Speaker, it will only be debated when the government's daily business in the House is concluded," he said.
The second provision is 18 (1), when the House debates a motion by any member for an hour if it is specific, of public interest and has to be done immediately as it is deemed urgent.
"The Speaker can either accept or reject it in his office or in the chamber. The House will debate the motion for an hour with both sides getting equal time. There will be no vote," he said.
Unlike 27 (1) where a 14-day noticed is needed, 18 (1) only needs a 48-hour notice or two clear working days, meaning that the SAPP or whoever is planning to table the motion must submit their motion to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker by tomorrow (Thursday).
Meanwhile, Speaker Pandikar Amin said he would have to look at the motion before making a decision. Incidentally, Pandikar is from Sabah but he is aligned to UMNO.
Looks like it is easier said than done.
"We have to make sure that everyone pulls together in difficult times and it's beter for everyone to work together under the present Prime Minister," he said, adding that SUPP's six MPs were behind Abdullah.
According to PRS president Datuk Dr James Masing, it was unfortunate that SAPP should choose to table a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister at this time.
"This is a time when all component parties must stand firmly behind BN and the leadership of the Prime Minister," he said.
"All six MPs from PRS will stand together behind the Prime Minister," he said.
SPDP deputy president Datuk Peter Nyarok said his party strongly supported Abdullah as BN chairman and Prime Minister of Malaysia.
He said SPDP's four MPs would not support any no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister in Parliament and advised SAPP to think twice about it. History repeating itself?
Meanwhile, over in Peninsular or mainland Malaysia, the Chinese-based MCA and Indian-based MIC which have been UMNO's loyal partners since even before Malaysia was formed have also come out in open support of Pak Lah. MCA is also the largest Chinese party within the coalition formerly known as Alliance while MIC is the largest Indian party. Another Chinese-based party, Gerakan alo deplored SAPP's move.
Back in Sabah, neither PBS nor UPKO which the national tabloid The Sun speculated yesterday that would follow SAPP's move has come out to support it. Both parties are Kadazan-based BN component parties and are led by former Chief Ministers.
Even the opposition DAP (aka the Rocket), which is supposed to welcome SAPP's move with open arms, has questioned its motive instead. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was quoted of saying: "The SAPP's move is unusual. The only thing for SAPP to do now is to leave the BN. But why is the party not leaving BN? What is its motive? How is it that the party wants to table such a motion when it is still part of the coalition?," he asked, as if hinting that SAPP may be play-acting or just testing the water.
Asked if DAP would support SAPP's motion, Lim who is Penang chief minister said if the Sabah party wanted DAP's support, then they would have to rationalise their decision.
"After all, the SAPP only has two MPs and they don't really decide on the downfall of the BN government," he said sarcastically.
But those are not the only hitches that SAPP is facing. There is one final hitch - The minister-in-charge of Parliamentary affairs, Nazri Aziz said the planned motion is not going to happen on Monday or any time after that.
"The truth is the motion is not going to see the light of day as daily government business takes precedence in the House. However, whether or not the motion is accepted is dependant on the Speaker," he said, pointing out that up to now, the SAPP has not submitted any motion to the Speaker.
Nazri said two provisions under the Standing Orders, the first 27(1) provided for a motion to be tabled by any member on any specific subject but the member must give a 14-day notice.
"Even if this motion is accepted by the Speaker, it will only be debated when the government's daily business in the House is concluded," he said.
The second provision is 18 (1), when the House debates a motion by any member for an hour if it is specific, of public interest and has to be done immediately as it is deemed urgent.
"The Speaker can either accept or reject it in his office or in the chamber. The House will debate the motion for an hour with both sides getting equal time. There will be no vote," he said.
Unlike 27 (1) where a 14-day noticed is needed, 18 (1) only needs a 48-hour notice or two clear working days, meaning that the SAPP or whoever is planning to table the motion must submit their motion to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker by tomorrow (Thursday).
Meanwhile, Speaker Pandikar Amin said he would have to look at the motion before making a decision. Incidentally, Pandikar is from Sabah but he is aligned to UMNO.
Looks like it is easier said than done.
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