The recent outbursts by some UMNO MPs against Gerakan are aimed at causing disunity in Gerakan which has remained united compared with others, said Sabah Gerakan chairman Gordon Leong.

He said these UMNO MPs are disgruntled MPs who, after so many years as backbenchers, have hidden agenda.

“Obviously, their behaviour and qualities are not up to mark. Gerakan will not be taken in by these remarks,” said Leong, who is also a Gerakan central committee member.

Leong was commenting on a statement by Sri Gading MP Mohamad Aziz asking Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to resign as Ministers and another statement by MP for Kalabakan Abdul Ghapur Salleh who said that Sabah Chinese community did not accept Gerakan.

Leong also said he could understand that Aziz had refused to apologise for his uncalled-for remarks against Dr Koh, because “he has a hidden agenda.”

“We are perplexed as to why Mohamad and Abdul Ghapur Salleh want to interfere into the internal affairs of Gerakan when they have other better things to do such as ways and means to further strengthen the position of the Barisan Nasional. They seem to want to pick up quarrels with Gerakan and MCA consistently and thereby causing disunity within the Barisan Nasional” said Leong.

Leong noted that when there was an exodus of Sabahans willingly joining Gerakan recently, they said they chose Gerakan primarily because of the wishes of the grassroots and more importantly they subscribe to Gerakan’s ideology to fight on non-racial line.

Leong says that Abdul Ghapur Salleh should respect the decision of the Sabahans who willingly join Gerakan, who is a long time friendly partner and component party of the Barisan Nasional.

Leong also added that the new Gerakan members included Assemblymen Raymond Tan and Au Kam Wah who are now Vice President and Cebtral Committee of Gerakan respectively.

Leong, echoing the stand taken by YAB Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, added that it would take far more than the unfounded and self serving “little Napoleonic” utterance of a few disgruntled UMNO members to shake Gerakan. Remarks such as these which may cause disunity within the Barisan Nasional are uncalled for.

Let all members of the Barisan Nasional are be reminded that our most honourable YAB Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak has recently stated that ”Do not question (the appointment). This is my right as the Prime Minister. I have done it not because I want to use my authority but because I am the Chairman of the Barisan Nasional. I have to make the decision in the interests of the BN.”