'WORK OF THOSE UNHAPPY WITH KDM M'SIA'

VICE President and Treasurer of KDM Malaysia, Datuk Peter Anthony, said reports about alleged non-performance by his firm in a RM43million contract with Universiti Sabah Malaysia (UMS) was the work of those unhappy with the NGO headed by him and Datuk John Ambrose.

"There are those unhappy with the work we do through KDM Malaysia. When they saw the good and diligent work, they take the opportunity to weaken us," he said.

"Let all the good deeds that KDM Malaysia has done be evaluated by other people. It is not for KDM Malaysia to evaluate itself," he said, after officiating the KDM Malaysia State Level Football Carnival 2012 at the Keningau Sports Complex, Friday.

According to him, KDM Malaysia now has over 40,000 members and this is expected to increase before the general elections. He did not say if it had anything to do with rumours that he aspires to stand as an Independent candidate in the Kimanis parliamentary seat held by Datuk Anifah Aman.

Kimanis was recently witness to several groups both opposing and favouring the continued representation by Anifah. KDM Malaysia has been active in the constituency which has a sizeable KDM community crucial for a Barisan Nasional victory in elections.

Anthony said the youths' high acceptance of KDM Malaysia which goes about distributing cash, rice packs and other goodies, was probably because they felt KDM Malaysia served the people better.

"Although not a political organisation, it helps especially those needy and poor," he said.

Among the criticisms against KDM Malaysia have come from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Upko, both BN components. Both said it aimed to undermine KDM support for their respective parties.

PBS went as far as to say that KDM Malaysia acted like a sub-contractor for Umno but both Anthony and Ambrose have denied this. Ambrose is Penampang Umno Division head while Anthony is an ordinary member.

Anthony said the organisation understands that everyone had their opinions and no one can be stopped from expressing them.

"The important thing for us is that what we are striving for is for the people who include the youth and rural communities and will determine whether KDM Malaysia is relevant and good or bad."

On investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) into his company where officers took away relevant files, Anthony said: "We have given everything that should be handed over. The truth will eventually be known soon. It's normal for there to be speculations, but on our part we have given our full cooperation to the authorities."

According to Anthony, the allegations did not focus on him alone but against a group of individuals because the company is represented by two or three directors. So there is not so much focus on him.

But what's important is that it refers to the company compared with other things that are happening in Sabah where there are larger cases that involve millions of dollars and everyone is just keeping quiet."

Meanwhile, he said youths, especially from rural areas, should involve themselves in the programmes and sports activities held by KDM Malaysia.

"Through the tour we do across Sabah, we want to attract more youths to join us, to follow our programmes and further diversify the activities.

"We are also seeking a more vigorous involvement and more numbers at the national level because we know, especially for rural youth here, their lack of exposure, especially in terms of information, and other facilities somehow pose some limitations.

"Therefore, KDM Malaysia acts as an intermediary agent for help, especially to youths, not only among the KDM communities but other communities in this remote area as well," he said.

"In each district, for example in the Keningau district, we have the top leadership, such as in Keningau headed by Azman (Hj Ruslan). He plays a role to manage any problems, requests and programmes, especially among the youths here.

"Next, we will bring together youths from all over the district from all over Sabah to give them understanding, explanation and what we think we need to instil in them," he said.

Also present were Deputy President of KDM Malaysia, Datuk Rubin Balang, Vice President 2 KDM Malaysia, Ahuar Rasam, Secretary General of KDM Malaysia, Michael Ubu, KDM Malaysia Keningau Leadership, Azman Hj Ruslan, and others.