Sabah...ooo Sabah...

SABAH politics - always an interesting subject to talk about. It can be dull, it can be funny, it can be interesting, and it can be very tense.

when Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee decided to pull out of the Barisan Nasional coalition on Sept 17, 2008, all eyes were on this Sabah-based political party, everyone wants to know whether this party, which has been under the BN wing for 14 years will divert their struggle to helping the Pakatan Rakyat. They already announced their no confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ... so the only logical thing would be to join the opposition's fray. But of course, YTL has his own plan.

so on Nov 22, 2008, when he launched the SAPP Centre Putatan at Putatan Square, he announced that the party would not join the Pakatan Rakyat, but admitted to meeting Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, over breakfast.

when asked, YTL just told the media that they discussed on fuel prices, global economic turmoil, illegal immigrants and peace mission in Mindanao.

He shared DS DI's view that the Petroleum Agreement 1974 should be reviewed. "Why not, even the Federal Constitution is amended, so what's wrong with reviewing the oil royalty," he said.

YTL further commented: "Although the Chief Minister has announced that the State Government will not review the oil royalty, for us, it is not the end of the story ... we will fight to bring fairness for the people of Sabah."

The former Chief Minister also stressed that they will not join Pakatan Rakyat, simply because they do no want to refer or report to any other political parties outside Sabah, stressing that it defeats the whole purpose of having State autnomy, especially when the State is quite capable of making its own decision, managing its own financial ... after all, State autonomy is included in SAPP's eight points.

honestly, SAPP's struggle is noble. But time will tell on whether the party will remain firm with its stand. He said that com geneal elections, SAPP will be constructive and innovative with their relationshp with Pakatan Rakyat.

"Whether we are going to oppose or support the Pakatan Rakyat in the next general elections, we will be contructive and innovative with our relationship of the coalition. One thing for sure, we will not jeoparise our mision to have political autonomy for Sabah, Sabahans and other political party in the State," he explained.

for now, all we can do is to sit back and watch ... it is going to be an interesting experience ahead, I am sure of that!