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Sorry folks, I have been away for a week, duty calls. Although I am a bit tired after filing the story of the inaugural KK Jazz Fest a couple of hours ago (just to keep my promise to a friend), I don't mind burning the midnight oil to file you this posting before I go to bed, as many of my readers have complained that I have kept them in suspense for too long on what happened next between the newly-formed Berjaya party and the Usno-dominated Alliance party which had ruled Sabah since the first direct general election in 1967.
Well, as can be seen from the news clippings above, two days after launching Berjaya in Kota Kinabalu and a day after 'capturing' party president Harris Salleh's native Labuan, its leaders next 'conquered' Penampang, often described as 'the heartland of Kadazan nationalism.' Thus, the Daily Express' (July 18, 1975) banner headline read: "Penampang one hundred percent for BERJAYA". Please click on the images for a larger view as I won't repeat in details what the pro-Berjaya newspaper said to save space and time.
Having launched Berjaya and having fired the first salvo in Labuan, the new and young (compared to the Usno old guards) party leaders went full steam ahead by establishing a foothold in Penampang on the outskirts of the State Capital. Except this time Datuk Harris wasn't there, probably busy plotting Berjaya's next move and at the same time busy welcoming new supporters at his Likas home. The highest-ranking Berjaya officials present were party treasurer Datuk Peter Mojuntin (now the late, his son Donald is the current Penampang MP) and ex-Minister Salleh Sulong. Infact, there was no need for Harris to be there. This is because Penampang was to Mojuntin what Tambunan was (later) to Pairin who at that point of time was Berjaya assistant secretary-general. To illustrate my point, Penampang, just like Labuan, dissolved all its Usno branches and turned them into Berjaya's.
Although I won't repeat what was already said in the paper, I just want to draw your attention to one part of Mojuntin 's speech when he said: "...I want you all to know that Tun Mustapha has no power of arresting anyone any longer. For this we must thank the Central Government." This is important because it was the first time the ordinary Sabahans were to know about the cancellation of the Chief Minister's power of detention, something which had made them think twice before supporting the opposition for many years, not wanting to end up in the 'University of Kepayan'.
Mojuntin went on to say: "I can also assure you all that the Armed Forces and the Police Force of Sabah will do their duty when called upon to do so to protect you and your right as a free people in a free nation." I touch on this because on the front page you can see a photo with the caption that the Yang di Pertua Negara (Governor) gave a farewell party to the out-going Sabah Commissioner of Police, Datuk Yusof Shah. On the same page, you will see a statement by the new Commissioner, Yusoff Khan warning law breakers and rumour mongers that they will be severely dealt with according to the law. It was an open secret that the Malaysian government, which controlled the police, transferred Yusof Shah on the request of Berjaya for he was closely associated with Tun Mustapha.
Meanwhile, Berjaya also announced that it had increased its strength in the State Assembly to eleven (out of 32 elected) when Lahad Datu assemblyman Johari Arief and his Ranau couterpart Ghani Ahmad left Usno to join the new party. Berjaya also claimed that 3 more Members of Parliament had joined them, bringing the total to four. The 3 were Robert Evans (Keningau), Thaufeck Asneh (Hilir Padas) and Rashid Jais (Ulu Padas). The 4th was Federal Minister Datuk Ghani Gilong who was also Berjaya vice-president.
You will also see a single-column story that says "Mustapha returns today" but I won't dwell on this now. I will do it in m next posting partly because the Kinabalu Sabah Times, Daily Express' rival, would give a better coverage to this story.
Till then, 'Yoku Boiti'.
Well, as can be seen from the news clippings above, two days after launching Berjaya in Kota Kinabalu and a day after 'capturing' party president Harris Salleh's native Labuan, its leaders next 'conquered' Penampang, often described as 'the heartland of Kadazan nationalism.' Thus, the Daily Express' (July 18, 1975) banner headline read: "Penampang one hundred percent for BERJAYA". Please click on the images for a larger view as I won't repeat in details what the pro-Berjaya newspaper said to save space and time.
Having launched Berjaya and having fired the first salvo in Labuan, the new and young (compared to the Usno old guards) party leaders went full steam ahead by establishing a foothold in Penampang on the outskirts of the State Capital. Except this time Datuk Harris wasn't there, probably busy plotting Berjaya's next move and at the same time busy welcoming new supporters at his Likas home. The highest-ranking Berjaya officials present were party treasurer Datuk Peter Mojuntin (now the late, his son Donald is the current Penampang MP) and ex-Minister Salleh Sulong. Infact, there was no need for Harris to be there. This is because Penampang was to Mojuntin what Tambunan was (later) to Pairin who at that point of time was Berjaya assistant secretary-general. To illustrate my point, Penampang, just like Labuan, dissolved all its Usno branches and turned them into Berjaya's.
Although I won't repeat what was already said in the paper, I just want to draw your attention to one part of Mojuntin 's speech when he said: "...I want you all to know that Tun Mustapha has no power of arresting anyone any longer. For this we must thank the Central Government." This is important because it was the first time the ordinary Sabahans were to know about the cancellation of the Chief Minister's power of detention, something which had made them think twice before supporting the opposition for many years, not wanting to end up in the 'University of Kepayan'.
Mojuntin went on to say: "I can also assure you all that the Armed Forces and the Police Force of Sabah will do their duty when called upon to do so to protect you and your right as a free people in a free nation." I touch on this because on the front page you can see a photo with the caption that the Yang di Pertua Negara (Governor) gave a farewell party to the out-going Sabah Commissioner of Police, Datuk Yusof Shah. On the same page, you will see a statement by the new Commissioner, Yusoff Khan warning law breakers and rumour mongers that they will be severely dealt with according to the law. It was an open secret that the Malaysian government, which controlled the police, transferred Yusof Shah on the request of Berjaya for he was closely associated with Tun Mustapha.
Meanwhile, Berjaya also announced that it had increased its strength in the State Assembly to eleven (out of 32 elected) when Lahad Datu assemblyman Johari Arief and his Ranau couterpart Ghani Ahmad left Usno to join the new party. Berjaya also claimed that 3 more Members of Parliament had joined them, bringing the total to four. The 3 were Robert Evans (Keningau), Thaufeck Asneh (Hilir Padas) and Rashid Jais (Ulu Padas). The 4th was Federal Minister Datuk Ghani Gilong who was also Berjaya vice-president.
You will also see a single-column story that says "Mustapha returns today" but I won't dwell on this now. I will do it in m next posting partly because the Kinabalu Sabah Times, Daily Express' rival, would give a better coverage to this story.
Till then, 'Yoku Boiti'.
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