KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee has offered RM500 to anyone who slaps Home Minister Zahid Hamidi when he next visits Sabah for yet another serious breach in Sabah’s east coast security.
Last year too Yong offered RM500 to anyone who would slap Zahid for alleging that three opposition leaders were behind the Sulu incursions in Kpg Tanduo in Lahad Datu. Zahid, who was then Defence Minister had made these allegations on the eve of early polling by the security forces and their familities. He said he would reveal the names after the general election but has not done so.
Describing Zahid’s politics as sick, Yong said yesterday: “I offer another RM500 for another slap on the Home Minister. This time for the breach in security (yesterday).”
Yong was venting his frustration over the latest cross-border kidnapping of a female tourist from China and a Filipino resort worker by masked armed men.
The incident occurred at 10.30pm on Wednesday night. The Chinese national was speaking on her handphone at the verandah of Singahmata Reef Resort in Semporna not far from Bum-Bum island which is highly populated by Bajau and Sulus.
Said Yong: “I also offer RM1,000 to any BN MP who moves a motion in Parliament to deduct the salaries of the Home Minister, Defence Minister (Hishamuddin Hussein) and the Rural Development Minister (Shafie Apdal who is the MP for Semporna) to show the anger of Sabahans over the repeated failures of the federal government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect Sabah and people.”
He reminded that security was a promise made to Sabah for joining Malaysia in 1963.
Yong also predicted that some federal officials will again blame the long coastline, the lack of resources and lack of co-operation from the people.
“As I have repeatedly said, the only thing lacking is the lack of top officials being held responsible when things go wrong. The honourable thing now for police and armed forces top brass in Sabah, including the Esscom director, is to ask to be transferred out of Sabah,” he said.
He further noted that after the last security breach at Pom Pom resort last November, the police had announced that two men believed to be linked to the murder-kidnapping were arrested.
“But nothing has been heard about the two men ever since. Such security breaches inflict irreparable losses to the Sabah economy and damages Sabah’s image that will take years to painstakingly repair,” said Yong.
