KOTA KINABALU – Sabah DAP secretary Phoong Jin Zhe has blamed the feud between his party and Warisan on a small group within the latter.
Speaking to reporters, the Luyang assemblyman also alleged that the spat could have been triggered by the Sabah-based party as part of their plan to contest in DAP-held federal constituencies.
However, despite the public spat, he pointed out that DAP is still offering electoral cooperation to its former coalition partner.
“Those who are trying to make DAP and Warisan fight are just a small bunch of people. But do they represent the entire party?
“This small group of people criticise DAP every day, but do they represent Warisan?” Phoong asked.
The feud between the two parties started when DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said that the relationship between the two parties has become tense after Warisan decided to contest against DAP in the Johor election.
Warisan vice-president Datuk Junz Wong then replied that the tension arose when DAP decided to sign the memorandum of understanding with the government.
This was followed by a series of public exchanges between party leaders including Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, Kota Kinabalu DAP MP Chan Foong Hin, and Warisan Youth chief Datuk Azis Jamman.
The situation became worse when Warisan accepted two defectors from Sabah DAP – Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong and Sri Tanjong assemblyman Justin Wong.
However, Phoong said that Sabah DAP remains open to collaboration, and it is up to Warisan to decide if it wants to join hands in the coming general election.
“Sabah DAP is very positive, very constructive. We don’t want to fight. However, at times, we have to defend ourselves.
“We urge those who are still interested to have a negotiation with us, our door is still open,” he said.
Phoong also said the tension between the two parties has left people questioning if Warisan wants to contest against DAP in the coming election.
“That is a question that I want to ask the people – do the people accept and condone this act of unfriendly move? Is this a constructive party or a destructive party?” he added. – The Vibes, April 18, 2022
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