BN Component Leaders To Stand By The Prime Minister

Barisan Nasional component leaders vowed to stand steadfastly with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in light of the announcement by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Wednesday that a vote of no confidence will be tabled against the Prime Minister in Parliament next week.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said what the country needed now was political and economic stability as the country and the people were going through very challenging times.

"It would be best that all of us, both the BN and the Pakatan Rakyat, accept the results of the 12th General Election. Our priority should be to continue to work hard to fulfill our election pledges, restore confidence and stability for the nation," he said in a statement.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said that his party had lost confidence in Abdullah and the SAPP's two members of parliament would support the motion to be brought up in Parliament on Monday.

Yong made no mention of his party pulling out of BN or who would make the motion of no-confidence.

Meanwhile, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the party would not support such a move as forcing a vote of no confidence in such a manner was not positive and constructive.

"Malaysia is currently facing severe challenges from the global fuel and food crisis as well as the economic uncertainties. Hence, it is crucial to sustain the solidarity and stability of the federal government by our Prime Minister to overcome these challenges and to implement reforms," he said in a statement.

He said Gerakan was surprised by the announcement and felt that such a drastic political move would only add to the uncertainty, disrupting efforts in reforms.

"I can still remember Yong announcing in May a deadline of August for the Prime Minister and Federal Government to address the grievances of the Sabah people.

"It is now only mid June. Yong doesn't seem to give the Prime Minister and the federal Government enough time and chance to make changes, overcome problems and address the issues concerned," he added.

Dr Koh said these issues should have been deliberated more throughly and sentiments expressed more clearly with the BN Supreme Council and through other existing channels of communication.-- BERNAMA

( Shahrir Samad was reported as saying that others wont follow SAPP. (Read here .) How to take your word as the truth, Dato? You said the price of fuel wont go up until August. Two days later Pak lah did just that. Now wa tak caya lu any more.)