APS, BUMBURING’S NEW VEHICLE?

By : JOSEPH BINGKASAN

KOTA KINABALU: Upko Deputy President, Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing will be launching his new political platform, Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (Sabah Reform Movement) or APS during a special gathering on July 29.

The member of parliament for Tuaran will also be announcing his political ‘halatuju’ (direction) in the same event.

A spokesman for the organising committee told FMT today that invitations had been sent to the MP’s supporters as well at leaders from both side of the political divide in Sabah.

In launching APS, Bumburing is also expected to formally announce his resignation from Upko and spell out his planned political’s direction after leaving the ruling national coalition.

Upko, headed by Bernard Dompok, is a component party member of Barisan Nasional.

“Bumburing will reveal his future plans and the objectives of APS, ” the spokesman said, adding that the function will start at 1pm.

Opposition leaders are expected to be with Bumburing at the Sunday gathering.

Upko leaders, incumbent MPs, assemblymen and former lawmakers who had hints that they would not be fielded by their respective parties in the 13th general election will also be guests during the function.

Bumburing, a former deputy chief minister and ex-assemblyman for Tamparuli, was elected MP in the 2008 election after incumbent Wilffred Madius Tangau made way for him to contest the seat, with an agreement that the former will make way for the latter in the 13th general election.

Tangau is Upko secretary-general and now wants the seat back.

‘No more postponements’

Meanwhile, the Sunday function will be the third in which Bumburing is scheduled to announce his resignation from Barisan Nasional, the first being last month and second one on July 15.

Both previous functions were aborted and it was announced that another function for the same purpose will be held on Aug 26, this year.

But after much publicity both in the various newspapers and alternative media, it now appears Bumburing has brought forward his function to July 29.

“There will be no more postponements, banners inviting the people to attend Sunday will be put up within this few days,” the organiser said.

Asked whether Umno MP for Beaufort Lajim Ukin will be at the function, the organiser confirmed that the federal deputy minister for housing and local government is on the invited guests’ list.

Lajim, an Umno supreme council member, has also declared that he was on the way out of BN to join the opposition.

Lajim however did not state which opposition party he will be joining.

Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party (STAR) Deputy Head Daniel John Jambuan, when contacted, said his party members and its Chairman Jeffrey Kitingan are yet to receive invitations to attend the Sunday function.

“I hope this time, it is for real (not to be aborted) again. I also hope he (Bumburing) will not be a proxy or stooge for Kuala Lumpur,” Jambun said. (FMT)