KOTA KINABALU – Two Sabah DAP representatives and a former senator quit the party last night, noting the lack of trust in the newly-elected state chapter committee.
The two assemblymen are Calvin Chong and Justin Wong, while the former senator is Adrian Lasimbang.
In a statement, the three leaders said: “We began our respective political careers by vouching for a better Sabah – greater autonomy, better infrastructure, greener space and more importantly, a more inclusive society that transcends race and religion.
“There is no better time to realise these than now, as we have witnessed the recent passing of the amendment on Article 1(2) of the federal constitution.
“We feel there is an imminent need to choose a more viable platform that would allow us to better serve our beloved state.”
They said they want a party that champions issues that will resonate with the needs and wants of all Sabahans, but this is no longer in DAP.
“There is a lack of trust portrayed by our leadership in the state committee, the state chairman in particular.
“The loss of direction, serious internal division, and almost defunct level of communication between leaders have caused us to believe that the party is no longer a party that will strive. And it is getting corrosive.”
The trio did not state which party they would be joining next.
Their departure came just after the chapter’s adviser and political veteran Datuk Jimmy Wong had also left the chapter in November.
Justin is Jimmy’s son.
Jimmy had earlier complained about the new Sabah DAP line-up, saying the chapter did not retain some of the senior and experienced leaders.
Meanwhile, Jimmy is said to enter social activism after leaving the party and a video of him meeting Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor had since gone viral.
Sabah DAP now only has four assemblymen – Datuk Frankie Poon (Tg Papat), Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang), Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan) and Tan Lee Fatt (Likas).
As for MPs, the party currently has Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu), Vivian Wong (Sandakan) and Noorita Sual (Tenom). – The Vibes, January 21, 2022
Additional reporting by Rebecca Chong
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