Bersatu's Chong sorry for defecting, but believes he did what's right

 

JOHOR POLLS | Three days ahead of voting day, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for Tangkak, Dr Chong Fat Full, has apologised to voters for his decision to leave PKR in 2020.

Chong (above) wrote on his Facebook that it was “heartbreaking” to read negative comments “every morning” and to be called a “katak” (frog).

“I am truly sorry that my decision had disappointed you, all of my voters, many of whom I know were hoping for a change just like I did.

“It was indeed one of the toughest decisions that I had to make in my entire life,” he wrote.

The 62-year-old politician was elected as the Pemanis assemblyperson on a PKR ticket during the 2018 general election and was immediately made a Johor cabinet member.

He quit PKR in March 2020. Six months later, he became an associate member of Bersatu.

PN’s Tangkak candidate Chong Fat Full (second from right) speaking to voters when campaigning in the Johor election

‘Greed and lust for power took hold’

Chong explained that as a dentist in Tangkak, he knew the grievances of the locals well and ventured into politics to help bring change.

“When the rakyat’s tsunami granted us the mandate to govern in 2018, everyone was euphoric. For the first time, the skies seemed clearer. The battle that we fought for so long finally seemed to be worth it.

“Alas, our historic win was short-lived. Somehow, along the way greed and lust for power took their reign and the party fell prey to internal power struggles.

“Suddenly, party meetings were no longer about national economic strategies and solutions to the rakyat’s everyday problems - the very two reasons that inspired me to go into politics,” he said.

Staying in PKR, he added, would associate him with a “conniving faction” whose priority was to gain more power but leaving would destine him to a “life of ridicule and public anger”.

Citing American businessperson Roy Disney, Chong said he knew what his values were and acted on them.

“Perhaps there will never be an adequate amount of apology and explanation for my past actions. And maybe, I am destined to live with the ridicule of my fellow Malaysians.

“But despite these, I will stand true to the promise that I will in all my ability continue to serve and above all, place the livelihood of my fellow Malaysians at the top of my priority list if I am still given the chance to,” he added.

The contest for Tangkak - a town near the border with Malacca - is a four-way fight between Harapan-DAP (incumbent), BN-MCA, PN-Bersatu and Pejuang. - Mkini