KOTA KINABALU — Sabah DAP will remain in the state government to fulfil the mandate from voters in the last election to work with the ruling coalition, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
State DAP chairman, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, said it was currently conducting statewide engagements to gather feedback and ideas from the public, and also to give assurance that it remained focused on serving the rakyat under the current government.
“At this moment, I want to make it clear to the people that we DAP are still part of the government. Any review of our position will depend on the context and circumstances at a given time,” Borneo Post Online reported Phoong saying after the Sabah DAP women and youth convention yesterday.
Last month, DAP’s national leadership gave the Sabah chapter full authority to decide for itself if it should continue cooperating with GRS, following corruption allegations that implicated senior state leaders.
The alleged scandal pertains to leaked videos showing Sabah assemblymen discussing bribes taken in exchange for approving a mining project.
Sabah is also due to hold state elections this year, and the state DAP’s decision on its position would impact preparations for the campaign.
Phoong, who is Sabah minister of industrial development and entrepreneurship, today urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to expedite its investigation into the allegations.
He said the probe’s outcome might have implications on Sabah DAP’s future political decisions.
Borneo Post Online also reported Phoong’s comments on Sabah PKR’s recent declaration of support for the state’s ruling GRS coalition.
“We need the public to view PH as a unified team.
“If I were to resign now while our PKR colleagues remain in the Cabinet, it would send mixed signals. This interconnectedness highlights the need for clarity and a cohesive approach,” he said.
“Our commitment remains with the government for now, but we will continuously evaluate feedback and factors to determine the best course of action. PH must also achieve clarity and resolve internal issues to move forward as a united coalition,” he said. – January 20, 2025