Chong’s exit not really a loss, says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR: The resignation of Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat is “not really a loss” because it will not weaken the Barisan Nasional state government, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Prime Minister said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman had informed him of Chong's intention to step down, saying he wanted to rest.
He added that there was no other reason than that given by Musa.
“So as far as I am concerned, he will get his wish. Let him rest,” he told reporters yesterday after launching the Conference to Improve the Delivery System of Government Services To Improve the Development Process As Well As Property Management.
Abdullah said Chong's resignation was not unexpected because the latter had expressed his desire to step down a number of times.
On whether the resignation was a loss, Abdullah said; “Not really a loss in the sense that I don't think the government of Sabah is going to be weakened with him not being around. But anyway we would like to say 'thank you'.”
To a question of the Sabah government's plans to develop Sipadan island, he said:
“No, we won't allow that. We won't allow it.”
He said any development would have to be “extremely minimum if we are to preserve the island, the coral reefs and the ecology.”
“It is extremely important. Sipadan and Ligitan are very valuable assets,” he added.
Less than a month ago, the Joint Management and Supervisory Committee of Sipadan and Ligitan turned down a second development plan to set up facilities on the island, a world famous diving location.
Chong, who was state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, had declined to disclose the reasons for the rejection and said he hoped to have a new plan ready in a few weeks.
The initial development plan to build a RM4.5mil clubhouse on Sipadan ran into controversy when construction equipment scraped off 372.94sq m of the reef last year.
When Musa was asked at the conference whether he was shocked by the resignation he said Chong had wanted to resign for a long time.
He also said he had no problems with his former deputy.

tunku : by right as BN chairman, pak lah should have said that yes it is a loss for us that chong resigned but his resignation will not weaken the Sabah BN.that's it. what an arrogant pm.