KOTA KINABALU – Amid widespread party-hopping and talks of defection, Sabah DAP acting chairman Datuk Frankie Poon said the rumour-mongering is intended to create fear and uncertainty.
He told The Vibes that he does not foresee any issue of DAP elected reps defecting, adding that, to his knowledge, there has been no such offer.
The Tg Papat assemblyman said rumour-mongering by certain parties is aimed at stirring up fear and doubt in anticipation of a snap general election.
“Rumour-mongering to create fear and uncertainty is political in nature.
“They are also creating these with the buying of MPs. As far as I know, there hasn’t been any offer for our reps.”
Poon also assured that the state opposition coalition, Warisan Plus, is still intact.
“That is why we had a meeting yesterday. We were discussing on how to further fortify ties among component parties.
“We have had a chance to work out the structure and relationship among Warisan Plus parties.
“I don’t have details on that yet. After a meeting scheduled later, we will reveal the new chairman of that structure,” he said at the new party headquarters in Lorong Kijang Phase 3, Luyang, today. It was previously in Heritage Plaza.
Sabah DAP secretary Chan Foong Hin said it is normal for politicians to contact each other despite their political divide, but agreed that there is a targeted effort to approach MPs of certain parties.
“Not all MPs, just a few. I cannot say more, but I am happy that our relationship with other opposition MPs are good. I do not foresee there being any problem.”
The Kota Kinabalu MP said financial allocations should not be used to attract opposition MPs to join the government.
“We join politics not because of allocations. Before we were elected, we didn’t have any allocation, and we’ve been in the opposition for many years before.
“It is our right as elected representatives to demand for allocation on behalf of the people. But it should not be a reason for anyone to jump ship. I have 100% confidence in my comrades.”
On February 25, Sebatik assemblyman Hassan A. Gani Pg Amir announced his departure from Warisan and voiced support for ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, as well as the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor – both of whom are Bersatu men.
PKR, too, lost two of its MPs – Larry Sng (Julau) and Steven Choong (Tebrau) – after they defected and declared themselves government-friendly independents.
In a separate matter, Luyang assemblyman Ginger Phoong, of DAP, said the RM4 million approved for the Foh Sang revitalisation landscape and infrastructure project has been slashed to RM250,000.
“I have received approval for the project from former chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in July last year, before the state election in September.”
After Warisan lost in the polls, Phoong said he was informed by Kota Kinabalu City Hall that the budget for the project has been slashed to RM250,000.
“This is a huge cut in budget. This is unfair to the people of Foh Sang as the project has been approved by the former Warisan administration.
“It should be allowed to carry on despite the change in government. The Luyang people deserve to know the answer for the project delay.”
He said he has also been accused of misusing the allocation.
“It seems this person is ignorant of government procurement procedures. It doesn’t mean the RM4 million approved goes straight into my account, so I find it ridiculous that there are accusations that I took the RM4 million.
“I find it bizarre that there are baseless videos on social media accusing me of pocketing the money.” – The Vibes, March 6, 2021
