KOTA KINABALU, November 28, 2021: SAPP President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee recalls the historic event of how SAPP started the MA63 campaign in October 2010 (12 years ago). He said the effect of the campaign had made MA63 a mainstream topic throughout Malaysia. He said this during the reception ceremony of new members in Sandakan.
SAPP has received 668 new membership forms and 11 applications to set up new branches including 3 led by women. The reception for the new members was held at the Community Hall of Rumah Murah Sim Sim, Sandakan. The event saw the participation of former Sandakan Municipal Council Deputy President Datuk Thomas Lau.
Datuk Thomas said he chose SAPP because it is the only local party that is consistent in its struggle, facing challenges and resilience in overcoming hardship and various difficulties even being in the opposition during the past decade.
Thomas also praised the resolve of the party leadership throughout the period in the opposition, despite losing in 2 general elections. Although he said many thought he did not need to be involved in politics and should just enjoy life after his retirement but he strongly felt that he had a responsibility to see Sandakan continue to develop and become a tourist destination.
Saiful Bahari Hj Muin, who is also the Tanjung Papat Community Development Leader (PPM), said that he and the new members joining SAPP because they believe in the party’s struggle.
Saiful said it has always been his desire to serve the Sandakan community, especially in Tanjung Papat, especially the plight of fishermen, develop the fishing industry and assist in the recovery of Sandakan economy. Sandakan was formerly known as “Little HongKong”. He felt that Sandakan had the potential to be further expanded in terms of the quality of its public facilities.
Datuk Richard Yong, Chairman of the Sandakan Zone in his welcome speech, is full of confidence that SAPP Sandakan could be strengthened with the participation of new members together with existing members committed to serve the community in Tg. Papat, Elopura and other areas in Batu Sapi.
Richard, who is also the Deputy President and Secretary-General of SAPP said he always believed that unity and hard work will ultimately prevail. This is the first step in winning back Sandakan.
Another SAPP Deputy President Edward Dagul also expressed the party’s commitment in strengthening SAPP throughout Sabah. Sandakan is the first destination in the series of stops followed by other Zones until January next year.
The President of SAPP in his speech take pride that SAPP continues to be the choice of new members. Datuk Yong also recalled that SAPP’s cultural values have engraved SAPP’s determination to continue to grow. He hopes that more new members will join the party.
SAPP has passed its endurance test for 12 years, when SAPP did not have a single representative, in fact he said in 1996, “one day, SAPP might lose all government positions, but when we successfully overcame it, it’s because of spirit of Perseverance which is one of SAPP political cultural values.
“It is the SAPP political values that galvanized the party to continue its struggle for Sabah, he said.
The SAPP president also said SAPP is committed to strengthen the Party, strengthen Perikatan Nasional and strengthen the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah(GRS).