Former SAPP Deputy Chairman Tambunan joins Gagasan Rakyat

TAMBUNAN: Former Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Tambunan Deputy Chairman Geoffrey Yong and his wife, Ervena Joan, announced their departure from the party after more than 30 years with SAPP, and decided to join the Sabah Gagasan Rakyat Party (Gagasan Rakyat).

The decision was made after he saw the development of the leadership of the Tambunan People’s Ideas Division Head, Datuk Victor P. Paut, who represents Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), thus changing the direction of his political struggle.

He said Victor’s leadership made him choose to join Gagasan Rakyat because he was confident in the direction of the struggle the party was taking.

He described the Gagasan Rakyat leader as capable of breathing new life into Tambunan politics.

Geoffrey said this at the handover ceremony of Gagasan Rakyat membership forms which was received by the Vice Head of the Tambunan Gagasan Rakyat Division, Hussein Hassan, witnessed by Division Committee Members, Sylvester Yapas, Aziz Banting and other leadership here yesterday.

Geoffrey’s move to leave SAPP after three decades with the party is seen as signaling new support for Gagasan Rakyat in Tambunan.

All this time, Tambunan was also known as the stronghold of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, who also left GRS with SAPP.

Tambunan is now a field of intense political competition between STAR led by Jeffrey with a new established influence, and the emergence of Gagasan Rakyat as a new force through Victor’s leadership.

This development is expected to add new colour to the Tambunan political landscape ahead of the 17th State Election (PRN17).

During his leadership period, Victor actively went to the field to listen to the problems of the people in the villages, including issues of rural development, basic infrastructure, economic opportunities and education for the younger generation.

His people-friendly approach and hard work in defending the local community are seen as the main factors that are increasingly attracting support from the residents of Tambunan to Gagasan Rakyat.

This signals that Tambunan, which wants to develop, needs new leaders as representatives of the people.

-Agency