KOTA KINABALU – Sabah DAP announced changes for its state committee line-up in what appears to be the party’s bid to end further departures involving members.
Sabah DAP secretary Phoong Jin Zhe said the state committee held an emergency meeting yesterday and unanimously decided to co-opt Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin and Kepayan rep Jannie Lasimbang into the state committee.
“Sabah DAP acknowledges that there are weaknesses and shortcomings within the leadership.
“The state committee has discussed and admitted that the party has to focus and work harder to regain public confidence at the same time unite all grassroot members to overcome difficult times,” he said in a statement.
Both leaders were not elected to the state committee in polls held last month.
The state party’s polls recently saw several experienced leaders and elected reps being dropped, causing many of the affected party members to leave DAP, including veteran leader Datuk Jimmy Wong.
On Friday, two DAP assemblymen Justin Wong (Sri Tanjong) and Calvin Chong (Elopura) left the party, along with former senator Adrian Lasimbang.
The three cited loss of confidence with the party’s state chapter.
Phoong said, “While Malaysia and Sabah are still enduring the pandemic and the economy is recovering at such a slow rate, Sabah DAP believes that we should focus on the people’s struggle in their daily lives and to stay firm to our principles and values.
“We are confident that by serving the people sincerely and working harder than before would help us rebuild back better and we will bounce back and reignite hope for Sabah and Malaysia.
“Sabah DAP sincerely regrets the departure of our assemblymen and we will be appointing DAP coordinators to continue to serve the people in Sri Tanjong and Elopura,” he added. – The Vibes, January 23, 2022