Tham quits as Science adviser and SAPP member

Tham quits as Science adviser and SAPP मेंबर

24 September, 2008

Penampang: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) was dealt a major blow when one of its founding members, Datuk Tham Nyip Shen, announced his resignation from the party, Tuesday.

Tham, who cited disagreement with the party's decision to leave the Barisan Nasional as the reason, has also resigned as Science Adviser to the State Government, which carries Ministerial status. He told a press conference he tendered his resignations on Sept. 18, a day after SAPP, which he helped found in 1994, announced its withdrawal from the coalition.

"Because of this development, I must say that the consequence of the party leaving the BN also brought me out of BN by default। (So) it is a very sad day for me to make this public announcement that I am leaving the party that I was partly responsible in forming," he said.

Tham, who said he was leaving SAPP with a heavy heart, pointed out that it has always been his principle to make use of the Government as a platform to serve the people, explaining this was the basis for his leaving the then opposition Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) in 1994.

Towards this end he said while his relationship with SAPP President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee remained cordial, the party's decision to ditch the BN was not something he could readily accept.

To end up in the opposition especially after winning on a government ticket in the election, is something he would never subscribe to, he added. He said being in the opposition was pointless because "(in the opposition) you just make a lot of noise."

But being party-less does not make him an opposition or anti-BN, he said, describing himself as staunchly pro-government. He has not made any decision yet on his immediate plans. However, he did not discount the possibility of joining a non-governmental organisation or business sector where he could play his role in helping the people and the nation.

"But for the time being, I will remain low profile (and) I believe as an independent in a sense, I still can speak up and do whatever to help the people," he said.

On talks about him and others who have left SAPP forming a new party, Tham said he has had enough of setting up political parties.

He also shot down speculations of joining Gerakan, MCA or the DAP, adding that he had not received any invitation from these political parties.

On political developments in the country, Tham said that there was no reason why the BN should not be allowed to continue governing the State and the country.

By Western standards, he said he BN had won by a landslide during the March general elections.

He also had kind words for his former boss, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who he said has done a good job of running the State.

"Out of the 10 years I was in the State Cabinet, most of the time the State's coffers were either very low or there was no money.

"But after Musa assumed the leadership, there is more than RM2 billion in the coffers," he said, adding that the present State Government has no outstanding payment to any contractor.

On his future in Sabah politics, Tham said while he felt politics play an integral part in his life, there are many younger politicians, thus leaving him with very little "space' in the State's politics.

On his former colleague, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, he said that he had not been in touch with him.

He said that the government of the day could make use of anybody to be a Cabinet Minister even though they are in the "opposition".

"They still can appoint you if they think you are useful," he said.

So, there is nothing out of the ordinary about the government continuing to consider Tan as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development, he said.

However, he said he would be meeting him and Elopura Assemblyman Au Kam Wah soon to discuss their next course of action.