Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin joint press conference on Aug 11, 2012 at Grand Continental Hotel in Kuching, after meeting Sarawak PKR leaders and supporters.
DSAI: I was briefing the Sarawak PKR leaders on the current political issues including what are happening in Peninsular Malaysia especially involving Umno and BN. That was why I have asked Tan Sri Kadir Shiekh Fadzir as well as Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim to come and explain what are the latest development in Sabah.
I am giving attention to the party election machinery and preparation for the upcoming general election. Datuk Seri Bumburing was unable to come here as he is making preparation for our gathering in Kota Marudu tomorrow.
Reporter: Datuk Seri, what is your feeling towards Lajim and Bumburing?
DSAI: They are committed to the reform agenda and they are committed and supportive of Pakatan Rakyat. In the case of Lajim and Bumburing, given a chance, they will contest under PR banner. Tan Sri Kadir has been touring the whole country in the last few months, explaining why he has to leave Umno and BN. We welcome that. In fact, I have suggested that our party give an avenue for him to speak on issues in Peninsular Malaysia.
Both Lajim and Bumburing said that Sarawak should be okay, but they said that they should concentrate in Sabah to gain the momentum.
Reporter: Will Lajim and Bumburing be contesting on PKR ticket?
What we are saying is this. They can contest on the tickets of any of the PR component parties, but there is a big possibility that they will contest on PKR ticket. But in our PR meeting, we agree in principle to accept them in good faith, then give them an opportunity to contest on the ticket of any of the PR component parties.
Reporter: At your last press conference in Kuching, also in this hotel, you were asked about the speculation on Lajim and Bumburing joining PKR and you replied that it was no longer a speculation?
Can you expect anymore Sabah YBs joining your side?
DSAI: You wait tomorrow in Kota Marudu. I am leaving for Sabah tomorrow morning, together with Lajim and Kadir. We will go straight to Kota Marudu. We will expect some important announcement to be made.
Reporter: Is there any one from Sarawak, Datuk Seri, joining you?
DSAI: If you are talking about contact, yes.
Reporter: Any possibility of him joining you?
DSAI: If you know my style, the announcement will be made by him…. it is up to him to make the announcement. I don’t make the announcement. I am not his representative.
Reporter: But the possibility is there?
DSAI: I think knowing the problem, knowing the political and economic problems in Malaysia and Sarawak, there is every reason he should leave BN.
Reporter: Datuk Lajim, why did you decide to join the Opposition now, not before?
Lajim: I have learnt a lot from what I have gathered while serving as a deputy minister in Kuala Lumpur. We want the Federal government to overcome issues and problems raised by Sabah as well as Sarawak.
But after 18 years of BN rule in Sabah, the changes are not comprehensive or overall. Many important issues which should have been resolved, have not been resolved. These are the responsibilities of the Federal Government. Apart from that, there are also the problems of corruption, abuse of power and internal problems within Umno not being resolved.
For me and my colleagues, if the party is unable to resolve all these issues, why do we have to wait? Therefore, we need to find a new leadership which can promise something good to the people, not for individuals or my own personal interest, but for the people of Sabah.
That is why I have made the decision to leave the BN and to quit all posts in the party, including as divisional and branch head and an Umno supreme council member. The only one still left is as a member of Umno.
I have received a show-cause letter from Umno headquarters on July 30, and I was given 14 days to reply. I am of the view that there is a high possibility that I will not reply to the letter because I know for sure that they will sack me, anyway.
Reporter: Datuk Seri Lajim, was it a difficult decision for you to leave Umno?
Lajim: Not so difficult if you have confidence in yourself. If you don’t have the confidence and you have certain vested interests, you will be afraid and will face difficulties later. But for me, I don’t have any special vested interest and have nothing to hide. The only interest that I have is to protect the interest of the people of Sabah whom I represent as a member of parliament and as a leader from Sabah.
Reporter: Datuk Seri Lajim, some of your colleagues in Sabah, like those from Umno, who are unhappy with Umno. Are they joining you?
Lajim: (There is a) high possibility, may be tomorrow or may be after Hari Raya.
Reporter: Datuk Seri Anwar, Free Malaysia Today mentioned you meeting Taib Mahmud in Singapore. Can you confirm that?
DSAI: My last meeting with Datuk Taib was in 2004 when I attended an Hari Raya Open House of former Prime Minister Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kepala Batas. I was invited and I came. So that was the last meeting I have with Datuk Taib.
Reporter: Not recently in Singapore?
DSAI: They are free to speculate. That is not true. I was not in Singapore in the last few months and I did not see him there.
DSAI to reporter: Do you suggest that I should see him?
Reporter: Well, if he wants to join your side, why not.” (Followed by laughter). By Sematong Express
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