Umno vows to take Penampang from opposition

PENAMPANG: Umno performed well in the last general election but not the other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, said Penampang Umno Chief Datuk John Ambrose. He cited that Umno managed to wrest back several constituencies which were once represented by the opposition before GE13.

“Umno under the leadership of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak succeeded in capturing several seats from the opposition but the other BN component parties failed to deliver. Umno had performed better than before,” he said.

He told the reporters this when approached at a belated Kaamatan Festival organised by Penampang Umno at the Dewan Tun Fuad here, on Saturday. He also attributed the opposition’s success in winning seats which were previously held by BN to the former’s campaigns via cyberspace and the social media.

According to him the virtual campaigns gave the people false hope that the opposition were capable of toppling the BN and capturing Putrajaya, and convinced many people, the younger voters especially, to vote for them. John was also of the opinion that there should be no contest for the posts of president and deputy president in the coming Umno General Assembly.

“Now, Umno is implementing a new procedure in the coming General Assembly where all the delegates from the various divisions will be voting at their respective division. Hence, there’s no need to send delegates to the main conference to vote,” he said.

On BN losing the three seats in Penampang – the Penampang parliamentary seat, Moyog and Kepayan state seats – John said it was not the end for BN in Penampang and was convinced that BN will be able to recapture the seats in the 14th general election.

“With the full cooperation of all BN component parties, we shall work hard to wrest back these three seats. Although we have lost the three seats, it does not mean that we can no longer serve or contribute to the people of Penampang. BN is still in power and we can still do our part to help the people of Penampang. We will continue to look after the interest and wellbeing of the 12,000 voters who voted for BN in the last general election,” he said.

John was also of the opinion that BN lost in Penampang because of the ignorance of young voters who wanted change, without realising that it was already being carried out through the Government Transformation Program (GTP) introduced by the present Prime Minister.

He said he was convinced that these young voters would give their support back to BN after they have seen the positive changes made by the BN government, and finally realise that only BN is capable of looking after the people’s interest and welfare.

--NEW SABAH TIMES

KALAU KERUSI PENAMPANG ASALNYA MILIK PEMBANGKANG, KEMUDIAN JATUH KETANGAN BN, PASTI PEMBANGKANG AKAN TUDUH BERLAKU PENIPUAN DI KAWASAN ITU.. TANPA MENGKAJI KELEMAHAN MEREKA DAN TANPA MELAKUKAN PERANCANGAN UNTUK MERAMPAS KEMBALI KERUSI ITU, PEMBANGKANG DENGAN EMOSI SEPARUH GILA PASTI AKAN MENGANJURKAN DEMONSTRASI SUPAYA KERUSI ITU DIKEMBALIKAN KEPADA MEREKA DENGAN CARA PALING TIDAK DEMOKRATIK..

SEBALIKNYA, UMNO/BN DENGAN PENDEKATAN SEDERHANA MENGAKUI KELEMAHAN DAN KEKALAHAN MEREKA SERTA TERUS MEMFOKUSKAN STRATEGI UNTUK PILIHANRAYA UMUM KE-14 NANTI..

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Pakatan should not have recognised the general election result in states where they have won

Kota Kinabalu: Penampang Umno took Pakatan Rakyat to task for rejecting the overall general election results but recognising the outcome in areas where it favoured them like Penang, Kelantan and Selangor. 

Penampang Umno Chief, Datuk John Ambrose, said: "Pakatan has sworn in their Penang Chief Minister, Kelantan Menteri Besar and will soon be swearing in their Selangor Menteri Besar. If they do not recognise the results, they should not have recognised it in states where they have won. This is hypocrisy." 

Ambrose was commenting on Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that it will protest Barisan Nasional's victory in the 13th General Election and will be calling a rally Wednesday to reject the outcome as it was achieved through electoral fraud. 

Ambrose said if Anwar claimed that the election was won by BN through dubious means, then Anwar should not have allowed the taking of oath in the states that it won. 

"BN would have also cried foul play in the three states controlled by the opposition but it did not and instead respect the decision of the voters in the three states. 

BN has been magnanimous in its victory as well as defeat and Anwar should do likewise," said Ambrose. 

He said as the election is over, Anwar should assist in the progress of the people and country. 

"If he is unhappy with the results, he should file petitions in court and challenge it instead of taking to the streets and making unsubstantiated statements," he said. 

He said protesting will not bring about any good for the country as business as well as foreign investor confidence in Malaysia would be affected. 

"We cannot afford to jeopardise the peace and security of the country which take years to build as we move forward to achieve developed country status through Vision 2020," he said. 

Ambrose said Penampang Umno fully supported Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman in leading the country and state, respectively, again. 

"The combination of Najib and Musa has bring about much progress and development to Sabah and we are happy that this arrangement will continue," he said. 

Ambrose said the election results also indicated that Sabah remained the "fixed deposit" state for BN. 

"We suffered some losses but overall, Sabah BN was able to deliver 22 out of the 25 MP seats to form the Federal Government," he said, adding that BN won in all the grey seats such as Tuaran, Beaufort, Tawau, Pensiangan and Keningau, among others. Ambrose said with the mandate, BN will be able to continue its transformation programmes in its aspiration to become a developed nation with high income by 2020.

--DAILY EXPRESS

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Apa Salah Bernard Dompok di P174 Penampang?

Apa salah Tan Sri Bernard Dompok sehingga para penduduk di daerah Penampang menolak kepimpinan beliau dan memilih pemimpin baru yang belum terbukti kemampuannya dalam memberikan perkhidmatan terbaik kepada penduduk Penampang? Adakah kerana Bernard Dompok berumur 60-an, maka penduduk menolak kepimpinan beliau dan memilih pemimpin yang berumur 40-an? Bullet amat kecewa jika faktor umur menjadi penentu kepada keputusan yang dibuat oleh penduduk Penampang.

Disebabkan kesilapan memilih ini, penduduk Penampang bakal berhadapan dengan kesulitan dari aspek pembangunan. Dompok, bukanlah jenis pemimpin yang tidur selama 28 tahun sebagaimana yang didakwa oleh pembangkang dan penyokong-penyokongnya, malah pelbagai inisiatif telah dilaksanakan beliau bagi memastikan pembangunan daerah Penampang seiring dengan daerah lain. Dompok, bukan sahaja komited dalam memajukan kawasan yang diwakilinya, malah beliau juga adalah pemimpin yang mudah didekati dan bersifat mesra rakyat.

Jika benar Dompok gagal melaksanakan tanggungjawabnya, bagaimana boleh wujud Kolej Komuniti di Penampang? Adakah Kolej itu tidak mendatangkan manfaat kepada penduduk Penampang? Dan, adakah cadangan pembinaan jalan dua hala dari Donggongon ke Papar dan sepanjang jalan ke Beaufort yang sudahpun diluluskan, juga tidak mendatangkan manfaat kepada penduduk di daerah itu?

Masalah bekalan elektrik juga berjaya diselesaikan terutamanya di kawasan pedalaman seperti di Togudon. Bagi menyalurkan bekalan elektrik itu kepada 581 penduduk kampung dan 83 rumah di Kampung Tegudon, RM22 juta telah dibelanjakan untuk projek pemasangan talian kuasa sepanjang perjalanan dari Penampang ke Tambunan.

RM15 juta juga telah diperuntukkan untuk pembinaan 3 buah klinik kesihatan di Kampung Dambai baru-baru ini dimana seramai 132, 390 orang dari 24 buah kampung dan tujuh mukim akan mendapat manfaat daripada kemudahan ini apabila ia siap kelak.

Sebuah bandar teknologi menerusi pembinaan Pusat Komersial dan Teknologi Antarabangsa (ITCC) Penampang di Jalan Pintas, yang bernilai RM300 juta akan dibangunkan di tanah bekas sawah padi terbiar seluas kira-kira empat hektar. Projek ini dijangka siap pada tahun 2014.

Semua ini adalah sebahagian daripada usaha Dompok dalam memastikan pembangunan di daerah Penampang seiring atau mungkin lebih baik dari daerah lain. Namun amat malang apabila kerja keras Dompok selama ini bukan sahaja dinafikan, malah tidak dihargai oleh sebilangan penduduk di daerah itu yang taksub dengan agenda perubahan yang dimomokkan calon PKR, Darell Leiking, yang belum terbukti kewibawaannya dalam melaksanakan aktiviti pembangunan di daerah itu.

Berbanding dengan Dompok, apa kelebihan yang ada pada Darell Leiking? Adakah penduduk Penampang telah merasai suatu manfaat yang luar biasa sekembalinya Darell Leiking dari Manila bersama-sama Tian Chua dan Sivarasa? 

Darell, sebelum ini tersentak apabila Menteri Pertahanan mengumumkan bahawa 3 orang pemimpin pembangkang terlibat dengan insiden pencerobohan di Lahad Datu. Walaupun Menteri Pertahanan tidak menyebut nama ketiga-tiga pemimpin pembangkang itu, namun Darell dengan lantas menafikan penglibatan beliau dalam insiden tersebut dan dalam masa yang sama mengakui beliau bersama-sama dengan Tian Chua dan Sivarasa terbang ke Manila sebelum insiden itu berlaku.

--FIKIR-FIKIRKAN LAH WAHAI PENDUDUK PENAMPANG!

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Chinese leaders in Penampang voice support for BN

PENAMPANG: The Penampang Welfare Society and Fook Tet Kung Temple endorsed their support to the three Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates contesting in Penampang. 

They are Tan Sri Bernard Dompok vying for the Penampang parliamentary seat, Datuk Philip Lasimbang (Moyog state seat) and Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai (Kapayan state seat). 

The Penampang Welfare Society chairman, Vincent Chua, Fook Tet Kung Temple chairman, Yih Wen Sin and Donggongon Kapitan Cina, Chin Sin Yu urged constituents to vote for the BN candidates to ensure that the area continues to develop and progress. 

They made the call when welcoming Khoo during a visit to the temple after a walkabout in Dongonggon town. 

“Since day one, Khoo has been directly involved in helping us to get financial grant from the government to construct the temple,” said Yih. 

According to him, the temple was originally a small structure but due to the growing number of worshippers they decided to embark on an expansion plan. However, the ambitious project was abandoned for five years due to financial constraints. 

“When Khoo was first elected as the Kapayan Assemblyman in 2004, he immediately helped us to revive the project. Now the temple is almost completed as only the arch and landscaping need to be done. Once it is fully ready it will be promoted as a tourism spot in Penampang,” said Yih. 

Chin said before Khoo stepped in, the construction of the temple was initiated by Dompok and he also found some funds to kick start the project. 

The temple is sited on a land of 1.5 acres which was donated by Datuk Seri Panglima Clarence Bongkos Malakun, who is now the chairman of the Institute Development Studies Sabah and former Moyog assemblyman. 

Chin who was appointed as Kapitan Cina for Donggongon in 2007 said during Khoo’s tenure as Kapayan assemblyman, lights were installed at the tamu ground for the convenience of traders and customers alike. 

Khoo also extended his assistance to local schools and fought for the installation of streetlights along Penampang Road. 

“He has done so much for us in terms of providing basic infrastructure and we have no reason to reject Khoo,” stressed Chin.

-- NEW SABAH TIMES

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Penduduk Penampang beri sokongan padu kepada Dompok

Dompok selaku penyandang kerusi Penampang bakal berdepan calon Parti Reformasi Negeri Sabah (STAR) dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). Beliau menewaskan calon PKR Edwin @ Jack Bosi dan dua calon Bebas Anthony Tibok dan Levired Misih pada pilihan raya umum lepas.

Walaupun sudah berusia 64 tahun, namun khidmat Tan Sri Bernard Dompok masih ditagih pengundi di kawasan Parlimen Penampang untuk meneruskan pembangunan di kawasan mereka. Rakyat Penampang tidak melihat faktor usia pemimpin tertinggi Pertubuhan Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Bersatu (Upko) ini, tetapi jasa yang telah ditaburkannya sejak sekian lama perlu diteruskan. 

Bagi Nelson Siponong, 27, usia Dompok merupakan kelebihan kerana pada usia sebegitu adalah usia telah ‘masak’ dengan selok belok politik malah lebih arif dengan kemahuan dan kehendak rakyat. 

“Muda lagi usia tu. Masih ada tenaga dan fikirannya juga masih tajam untuk membantu kami dan ini adalah pemimpin yang kami cari,” katanya kepada Bernama. 

Danny Chai, 32, pula menganggap usia itu adalah usia ‘selamat’ untuk terus didampingi rakyat berbanding pemimpin berusia muda. 

“Usia muda pun boleh. Tapi harus dibuktikan terlebih dahulu prestasinya sebelum boleh menggantikan yang senior,” katanya. 

May Kam, 55, pula lebih melihat peribadi Dompok yang tidak pernah mewujudkan batasan ketika bersama penduduk walaupun menjawat jawatan Menteri Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi. 

“Senang mahu berjumpa beliau. Beliau juga datang ke majlis perkahwinan tiga anak perempuan saya. Walaupun tidak ada persiapan khas untuk beliau yang saya dilakukan, makan pun di meja biasa,” katanya. 

Patricia Chin, 50, tidak dapat melupakan ketika Dompok mengunjungi kedai makannya secara mengejut tahun lalu sehingga kedainya dipenuhi orang ramai yang mahu melihat lebih dekat wajah pemimpin ini. 

“Saya pun pada mulanya menyangkakan saya tersilap orang. Tetapi memang benar, itu beliau. Saya masih ingat, beliau makan ngiu chap (seakan-akan soto),” katanya. 

Patricia menyifatkan pemimpin seperti Dompok adalah medium perantaraan antara rakyat dan pemimpin yang memahami masalah rakyat. 

“Biarlah beliau terus memimpin. Lagipun bukan tidak pernah kita melihat pemimpin yang lebih berusia tapi masih bersemangat seperti Mahathir (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) yang sangat bagus,” katanya.

--NEW SABAH TIMES

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