KOTA KINABALU: Tan Sri Bernard Dompok may have retired as a party president, but he is not going out of the picture, as far as politics, is concerned.
That was the prediction of his former colleague in Parti Bersatu Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee.
“He is still a very experienced leader who understands the inner workings of government and the political process,” said the Sabah Progressive Party president who described Dompok’s decision to step down as United Pasok Momogun KadazanDusunMurut Organisation (Upko) president as correct and he had explained it well.
“He belongs to the 1985 generation of politicians who was part of the tumultuous political era of 1980s to 1990s. Now, 30 years later, the fight for Sabah rights and Sabahans will begin to pass on to younger leaders,” said Yong.
On the appointment of Upko deputy president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau as the acting president once Dompok’s retirement takes effect on March 21 this year, Yong described the former as a “vocal member of parliament”, adding: “His test as a leader is only now starting.”
Both Yong and Dompok, who served as Sabah’s chief minister, left then opposition Parti Bersatu Sabah just before the general elections in 1994 to form their own parties under the Barisan Nasional.
SAPP, however, left the coalition on September 17, 2008 for its loss of confidence in the then former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration.
Upko was also rumoured to follow suit but the party remains under the BN umbrella.
Dompok had said that there was a time they were asked to get out of BN, but they stood their grounds and stayed back.
Penampang member of parliament Darell Leiking, who upset Dompok in the 13th general election with a majority of 10,216 votes, wished the latter the best of luck.
“I wish him (Dompok) the best of luck on his retirement after 28 years as an elected representative. As for Tangau, a simple courtesy to wish him also the best of luck on leading the party.
“Other than that what matters most is the cause for Sabah and its reinstatement as an equal partner of Malaysia via the vision put in writing in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and for its revision after 50 years since the formation.
“Sabah and Sarawak have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reset history and to write a new opportunity as an equal partner if only all their MPs decide to ally themselves with the coalition that can make this vision come true. This is the chance to change,” Leiking said, who is the Parti Keadilan Rakyat national assistant secretary-general.
Sabah PKR deputy chief Christina Liew, who is also the Api-Api Assemblywoman, wished Dompok well in his retirement.
“He is a veteran and matured politician. I am sure he knows best and what is best for his party,” said Liew in a text message yesterday.
Dompok will retire as Upko president with effect March 21 after leading the party since 1994.
