Bumburing’s APS eyes a merger

KOTA KINABALU: Leaders of the Sabah Reform Movement (Angkatan Perubahan Sabah) are now studying an invitation to join one of the newly registered political parties in Sabah.

Until a decision is made, APS headed by Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing, the PKR assemblyman for Tamparuli, will continue as an non-governmental organisation in its quest to bring about political change in the state. “I have discussed with the other leaders of APS the option to carry out our struggle through a political organisation,” the former United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) deputy president told FMT yesterday.

Bumburing disclosed that they were in the final stage of making this consideration and will be making an announcement at the appropriate time.

The Registrar of Societies recently approved the registration of 20 political parties in the country. Eleven of them are Sabah-based. They are Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS),Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Sabah Bersatu (USNO) Baru, Parti Gagasan Bersama Rakyat Sabah (Parti BERSAMA),Pertubuhan Perpaduan Rakyat Kebangsaan Sabah (PERPADUAN) Parti Kebenaran Sabah (KEBENARAN) and Parti Bersatu Bugis.

Others are Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sabah (PERS), Parti Pembangunan Warisan Sabah / Sabah Heritage Development Party, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Sejahtera Angkatan Perpaduan Sabah (SAPU) and Parti Damai Sabah (PARTI SPP). Bumburing quit Upko, a Barisan Nasional coalition member, but did not join any political party.

Instead he formed APS as his political platform to face the May 5, general election. His APS was launched by Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on July 29, 2012. He declared the NGO as pro-Pakatan Rakyat.

Going into the May 5 polls, Bumburing was an incumbent in Tuaran and a candidate in Tamparuli. He stood on a PKR ticket. He lost Tuaran but won the Tamparuli state seat. Bumburing was defeated by Upko secretary general Wilfred Madius Tangau in Tuaran but wrested Tamparuli from Parti Bersatu Sabah’s vice president Jahid Gahim who is also the party’s youth chief. - See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/09/bumburings-aps-eyes-a-merger/#sthash.QYOFU4QA.dpuf