Cubaan halang sambutan 16 September Pakatan, kata Lajim

KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will hold its Malaysia Day celebration in Tuaran on Sept 15, said the event organizing chairman, Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin.

He said the event, to be held at Singgah Singgarung from about 9pm, is expected to be attended by most PR leaders, including the various component parties’ heads.

“PR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to arrive at the celebration about 10pm,” Lajim told reporters at his Hari Raya open house for the media at Ocean Seafood Restaurant here yesterday.

“We will also be inviting all opposition leaders in Sabah, including SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and Sabah STAR liaison chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan to join in the celebration of Malaysia’s formation.

Lajim said it was not easy to find a venue for the celebration as there were a few ‘glitches’ that involved the authorities.

“I am very disappointed because even though this is an opposition organised event, it is just to commemorate the birth of our nation Malaysia.

“The Government should not prevent us from holding this event because Sabah and Sarawak are directly involved in the formation of Malaysia 49 year ago,” the Beaufort Member of Parliament said.

Lajim also said that they expect about 5,000 people to attend the event.

“We are extending our invitation to all Malaysians in Sabah notwithstanding their political views to come and celebrate the 49th Malaysia Day with us this Saturday.

“We also hope that the police in Tuaran will be more lenient to motorists who park along the roadsides near the venue.

“If the vehicles are not obstructing traffic, please do not issue summons, at least from 9pm to midnight.
“We also wish to remind those coming for the event to please park your vehicles properly and adhere to any instructions by the police,” Lajim who now heads Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPS) said.

To the media, the former Housing and Local Government Minister said that they should continue to give fair reporting as Malaysia is a democratic country.