KOTA KINABALU:
Datuk Liew Yun Fah revealed how the phrase ‘lead by example’ prevented him from becoming an independent candidate. Liew, the incumbent Merotai Assemblyman, was a surprised exclusion when the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), one of the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, announced its list of candidates for the March 8 polls. He did not rule out the possibility of contesting after the announcement but in keeping his words towards the youth and his loyalty to the ruling coalition BN, it did not materialise. “I am a youth leader and I have to be a role model to them ... I’ve always advised them (youth) to be courteous and loyal to their leaders. “If I had contested (as independent candidate), what will happen? It contradicted with what I’ve always advised the youth and this will leave a negative impact on them. “I have to lead by example and I’m keeping my words,” he said. “I’m loyal to the Barisan Nasional leadership under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman,” he added to loud applause from those attending a ceremony to pay tribute to him as the Youth and Sports Minister on Tuesday. At the function, Youth and Sport Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary I Datu Rusmadi Sulai handed a mock cheque to the representatives from Sabah Youth Council SYC) and its affiliates and witnessed by Liew. The annual grant given to the SYC has been increased by RM250,000 to RM750,000. “The allocation will be distributed periodically, which is once in every three months to SYC and its nine affiliates,” said the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Michael Emban. The affiliates are Perseketuan Pengakap Malaysia, Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, Pergerakan Puteri Islam Malaysia, Persatuan St John Ambulans Malaysia, Pergerakan Pemuda Malaysia, Gerakan Belia Bersatu Malaysia, Persatuan Briged Puteri Malaysia and Persatuan Briged Putera Malaysia. Michael said the grant was given based on the performance of the associations or bodies in 2007. The performance index includes four criteria, namely membership expansion, activities at district, State and national or international levels. “The performance index is implemented to judge the SYC and its affiliates starting 2007,” he said, adding there were 70,828 SYC members as of November 2007.
