Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said a new generation of young leaders is ready to take over the party.
“About one third of our active members and supporters are new faces, mainly young people,” Yong said at the party’s ninth congress at Putera Theatre Ballroom in Bukit Padang, Sunday.
“I see this as a very good sign that our party and our struggle for Sabah can continue and has a bright future.
“The training programmes of the past 32 years are an investment that keeps producing capable, mature leaders who truly understand Sabah politics,” he said.
He based this on his observation during the 2025 election campaign and this year’s branch annual general meetings. Most of the party’s top posts now go to younger members, many of them graduates of youth camps held over the past 30 years.
“These new leaders will continue the struggle to claim the state’s rights and champion the progress of the people of Sabah for the next 20 years.
“Nothing can replace the time a young leader needs to reach political maturity or the experience gained through effort and sacrifice.
“A strong team is built through struggles faced together,” he said, adding the party recently took a first step by introducing artificial intelligence training for some cadres.
“I believe it is time for the party to review its training modules and syllabus so they match the new trends shaping society, Sabah politics and the new world order,” he said.
“The current focus topics are the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sabah geoeconomics and the three securities, which cover territorial security, energy assurance and food assurance.
“The Supreme Council anticipated that the three securities would stay relevant to the lives of people now and in future,” he said.
“Will our focus be on artificial intelligence, geoeconomics and geopolitics? What about the peace and order that have returned to southern Philippines, our most important neighbouring area?“What about the fast-growing economic power in Kalimantan and Sarawak and our strategic position in Asean’s shifting regional economy? he said.
Meanwhile, all 25 posts on the Supreme Council for the 2026 to 2030 term were won uncontested, with Yong retaining the presidency.
The three deputy presidents are Datuk Edward Dagul, Datuk Richard Yong We Kong and Yong Yit Jee. Richard Yong is the Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly.
The six vice presidents are Stephan Gaimin, Datuk Shuaib Mutalib, Lau Chi Keong, Lim Kat Chung, Yvonne Yong Yit Phung and Asraf Amir.
The 15 Supreme Councillors are Chin Vui Kai, Yong Vui Min, Nur Anirah Razalan, Sahidin Suhaimin, Charles Yong Chin Yung, Soon Kak Foh, John Stephen Dionysius and Kong Su Siong.
The others are Ooi Tze Sen, Tang Ting Yieng, Ghazali Ekong, Aslizahwati Asmad, Nelson Marcellus, George Yutop and Jurmani Alin Jaman.
