CHINESE ACTIVIST SUPPORT DR FELIX

THE decision by former DAP leader Dr Felix Chong in joining a Borneo-based State Reform Party (STAR) is laudable and a correct step taken by a patriotic local Chinese Sabahan, said state social and consumerism activist, Donny Yapp Tai Hua.

Yapp who himself is not yet a member of any political party, in a statement issued here today, said it is heartening to see a Chinese Sabahan with great leadership potential to throw his support to a known state right advocate like Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

"My point is Dr Jeffrey has been fighting for all of us Sabahans, regardless of our creed, and he deserves support from us the Chinese too. If not now then when else can we lend our hand to this misunderstood man who had suffered enough for Sabah to be heard? I hope Dr Felix will bring in more Chinese to STAR and really help Jeffrey in his struggle," said Yapp, 48, who was formerly a Deputy Treasurer of the now defunct-CASH or Consumer Association of Sabah.

The elusive Yapp also commend the plea made by another Chinese leader, Dr Chong Eng Leong, in which he pleaded to the Kadazandusun leaders in Barisan Nasional to do something to compel the BN to listen to the wishes of Sabahans, including on the setting up or RCI on illegal immigrants, in order to save Sabah from political ruin.

"All races in Sabah must unite to save Sabah for the future of our generations now under threat from illegal immigrants who are favoured by some in the ruling BN coalition. Even the Chinese business community is under threat from these immigrants one way or another," Yapp said adding that there are still many things those in the government could do to further help the people.

He said, for instance while the BR1M RM500 cash aid to deserving families is laudable, government leaders should also look at improving its deliveries in the next one, perhaps next year, if the government still wants to help these families.

"We should look at Australia's welfare management where it gives monetary aid to those unemployed. We must not necessarily copy this one but we could still consider giving aid of RM300 monthly to all the deserving senior citizens, including those Chinese from tax-paying families as one who pays tax doesn't mean one does not need aid from the government as goods prices and medical bills could be high," he said.

Yapp said, another issue of contention among the Chinese community in Sabah is the lack of scholarship to further study for deserving students with excellent school results.