UMNO P'PANG LAUDS FORMATION OF RCI

KOTA KINABALU: Umno Penampang is confident that the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants will be able to resolve the problem that has been affecting the people of Sabah for so long.

Its Chief, Datuk John Ambrose, said it was unbecoming of the opposition to jump on the wagon of the Barisan Nasional (BN) initiative.

"Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) was the first to call for the RCI and as pointed out by MCA President Datuk Chua Soi Lek, it was Datuk Anwar Ibrahim who is now the opposition leader who had objected to it.

"None of the opposition leaders now has denied this," he said when met at the Raya open house hosted by his sister, Datin Aminah Ambrose, and brother-in-law, Datuk Amir Kahar Tun Mustapha, at the Sutera Residency, here, on Sunday.

Towards this end, he said Umno Penampang welcomed the formation of the RCI.

On the departure of Datuk Lajim Ukin and Datuk Wilfred Bumburing from the Barisan Nasional, Ambrose said it would have minimum effect as Umno and BN's strength does not lie with any individual but its members and supporters who are committed to the struggle.

"Every party is like this, meaning the departure of Bumburing also has minimal impact on Upko and BN as a whole," he said, adding that Umno had changed its president many times but it emerged stronger after each transition of leadership.

"Umno is the longest surviving ruling government and is committed to serve the people.

The people can judge the transformation programmes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's has initiated," he said.

As for Umno Penampang, he assured that it would continue to be loyal and support the leadership of Najib as well as Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

"We are not lobbying for candidacy. Whoever is the candidate for BN we will support," he said.

Meanwhile, Aminah, who is also Kudat Umno Wanita Chief, said the Raya open house provided a good opportunity for the multi-racial Malaysians, especially in Sabah, to strengthen ties.

Among those who came to the open house was Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Peter Pang.