Malaysia

Sabah DAP joined state govt to avoid election: chairman  

Party mainly concerned for people’s welfare, says Datuk Frankie Poon

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 07 May 2023 4:45PM

Sabah DAP joined state govt to avoid election: chairman  
Datuk Frankie Poon says Sabah DAP had to make a crucial decision in January when the state’s politics were at a crossroads. – Pic courtesy of Sabah DAP, May 7, 2023

by Rebecca Chong

KOTA KINABALU – Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Frankie Poon has sought to quell party grassroots’ unhappiness over the decision to cooperate with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and be part of the state government.

The decision made in January this year was for Sabah’s future, he said, adding that Sabah DAP is aware that party supporters are unhappy

“I do hope you will all bear with the situation. Rest assured we are constantly working to correct the partiality of the situation,” he said in his opening speech during the Sabah DAP annual convention here today. 

In January, Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) declared support for Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor as Sabah’s chief minister. This followed Sabah Barisan Nasional’s (BN) decision to pull its support from Hajiji. 

Sabah PH members were then included when Hajiji reshuffled the state cabinet.

Explaining Sabah DAP’s decision, Poon said it had to make a crucial decision in January when the state’s politics were at a crossroads.

“We were concerned for the economy and welfare of Sabah’s people since we were just coming out from Covid-19 restrictions and the economy has not recovered yet.  

“We pondered the future of the people of Sabah if there were to be another change of Sabah government. Our priority was Sabah’s future. Any other decision could have caused a change to the Sabah government of today. The rest was history,” he said. 

Poon today said party members must not make “sudden political moves” and should instead work together with other parties in the Sabah government to improve the state and the country using Sabah’s resources. – The Vibes, May 7, 2023

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