Penampang MP Darell Leiking has denied allegations that the exodus of leaders from Sabah opposition parties was due to former Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal's wealth.

This claim was made by Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen yesterday.

"I know for a fact that there is no money or consideration of any kind involved, or even asked or even offered to any person or the elected representative who has voluntarily joined in the cause under the incoming Sabah-based multiracial party.

"Our struggles and our principles to fight BN, to reform and bring that change for a new type of responsible government, remain the same and have not faltered, but in fact are more entrenched now than ever as we are on a new journey of change under a Sabah-based multiracial platform.

"With this new political platform, we in Sabah are directly answerable to the electorate of Sabah, without considering the opinions of those not in Sabah or of any central body out of Sabah," Leiking, who quit PKR last month to join Shafie's Sabah-based party, said in a statement.

He called on Chong to prove his allegation to the public by providing evidence to back it up.

"(Chong should) apologise for his wild and imaginary allegation, to which myself, Shafie and all those on the new platform here in Sabah categorically deny and demand proof thereof," Leiking (photo) said.

On Sunday, three Pakatan Harapan state assemblypersons resigned from their respective parties in favour of a local Sabah party.

Though they did not specify which party they would be joining, their exit comes amid an effort by Shafie to set up a new Sabah-based party to challenge the ruling coalition.

Chong making unfounded allegations

Leiking also said that he finds it strange that Chong was making "unfounded allegations" against Shafie when negotiations with DAP leaders and other opposition leaders are still ongoing.

"It could be because DAP Sarawak, which has long proclaimed its independence from DAP national, may be out of the loop or just plain ignorant on what Sabahans want," he said.

Sabahans, he said, are completely different as they have seen how both state-based parties and national-based parties have governed Sabah.

There is now a a strong wave of demand within the state for Sabahans to lead and use a Sabah-based multiracial party to defeat BN, he said.

"In fact, the electorates also demand that political parties decide domestically in Sabah without any references or consultation with any parties or central leadership outside of Sabah.

"Chong should realise that Sabahans are also different as the current sentiments against political parties controlled or dictated to by Kuala Lumpur are real and with that wave of change, Sabahans will likely unite to vote to remove the Umno-led BN and all national-based political parties as well," Leiking said.

He added that PKR's reaction to the exodus was more civil, mature and respectful to the opinions of its former members.

Chong had yesterday called his Sabah counterparts who quit the party as 'political frogs', adding that the reasoning that only a "local party can defend local's rights" was just an excuse.

"Now, due to Shafie's wealth, many politicians have embraced the benefits in front of them and forsaken the real agenda of political ideology and reform.

"These are the characteristics of political frogs," Chong said.