New Sabah DAP chief: Trio quit to avoid anti-hopping law

Sabah DAP chairperson Frankie Poon has refuted accusations that his leadership was why three members had recently quit the party.

Instead, he counter-claimed that Sri Tanjong assemblyperson Justin Wong, Elopura assemblyperson Calvin Chong and former senator Adrian Lasimbang had left before action could be taken against them under the upcoming anti-hopping law.

“The said YBs’ resignations (reasons) are a mere cover-up before the anti-hopping bill is presented to and passed by Parliament in Feb and Mar 2022,” Poon contended in a statement today.

“Maybe they had their plans. Probably the proposed anti-hopping law hastened their plans,” Poon (above) added.

The trio announced their resignations yesterday, citing a loss of confidence in Poon’s ability to lead the DAP chapter. They also cited the existence of “serious internal division” and communication problems as reasons.

While they did not state if they would join another party, all three said they began their political careers to vouch for more autonomy and a more “inclusive” society for Sabah that transcended race and religion.

Lasimbang further hinted that it was better to “join other teams or play another game” if players were beset with a self-absorbed captain.

Elected reps should reign

In his statement today, Poon also refuted claims about an internal rift and a lack of communication in the party.

Instead, he said it was Justin who was often unavailable and missed party meetings.

Poon further said it was Chong’s own fault that he had failed to get elected onto the Sabah DAP committee despite multiple attempts.

Lasimbang and Chong both lost in the recent Nov 2021 Sabah DAP polls.

Justin, however, garnered the most votes and was elected into the committee. He is the son of Jimmy Wong, a former Sabah DAP chief who quit the party last year in protest of the polls.

Meanwhile, Poon opined that Justin and Chong should resign as elected representatives for leaving the party they were elected on.

“It is an abuse of the people’s mandate for any elected representative of a political party to resign from that party to become an independent lawmaker or to join another political party subsequently.

“If he is so unhappy, then he should resign as an elected representative. That is the honourable thing to do,” Poon said.

The exodus leaves Sabah DAP with four assemblypersons - Poon (Tanjong Papat), Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang), Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan) and Tan Lee Fatt (Likas). - Mkini