BAN MADE NURUL A HERO?

KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BOPIM) had expressed disappointment in the 'high-handed' action of the State Government in denying the entry into Sabah of Nurul Izzah Anwar, PKR's Vice President and Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai.

The President of the UK-based BOPIM, Daniel John Jambun, said it is true that the Chief Minister has the power to stop anyone from entering Sabah without giving any reason, but this case against Nurul Izzah was uncalled for and didn't make any sense.

"Obviously the state BN is teetering on the edge of fear of facing the opposition even after the general elections," Jambun said. "Such a fear must be because of Sabah BN's lack of confidence in its strength, or because of deep guilt due to what they have done during the recent election. If not, why else is the Chief Minister declining comment on the incident?"

He said the state BN should now feel ashamed that it had committed a political blunder with the surprising ban, because it only served to smear the reputation of the BN, and exposed its hidden fear and guilt.

"And worse for BN, it had made Nurul a hero and raised her to national sympathy and defense from all right-thinking Malaysians, including BN leader and Kinabatangan Member of Parliament, Datuk Bung Mokhtar.

BOPIM also condemned the statement by Datuk Salleh Said who supported the ban on Nurul, when he said “Sabah should ban any politicians from outside Sabah, irrespective of political affiliations, who come to our state with intentions to nurture mistrust and hatred amongst our people.”

Salleh who is also State Legislative Assembly Speaker also said Sabahans did not wish to subscribe to a political culture of divide and rule as practiced elsewhere, and "Sabah had always been a peaceful and harmonious state and we take pride in our unity in diversity. We cannot allow the interest of Sabah be compromised by selfish politicians from Peninsular Malaysia pursuing politics of self-glorification,”

Jambun said Salleh was lying about Sabahan not wanting Nurul, and was being hypocritical in his statement about BN not wanting do allow divide and rule tactic whereas this is exactly the political model being used by Umno in Malaysia and in Sabah.

"If Peninsular politicians are not allowed to so-called pursue self-glorification in Sabah, why allow Kuala Lumpur Umno leaders to do exactly that all the time?" Jambun demanded, adding that Salleh is now wellknown for being a "political make-up artist" for his habit and ability in making up nonsensical excuses for all sorts of things, including the illegal immigrants.

"If there is anyone who needs to be banned from entering Sabah, it should be Tun Dr. Mahathir for his sin in running the Project IC which brought in hundreds of thousands of foreigners to become citizens through the backdoor.

"Mahathir deserves to be banned from entering Sabah for fear that he will influence some Sabahans into supporting what he had done," he said. "His visit here will also embolden the Suluks in Sabah to step over the heads of genuine Sabahans, as has been proven by a recent case in which a policeman was threatened by a woman who arrogantly said, 'You don't mess with me. I'm a Suluk!'

"Today even small Filipino kids brag arrogantly to locals that they would soon take over Sabah," Jambun added. "And this is happening because of the irresponsible action of Mahathir and several federal leaders."