Ex-Sabah DAP chief quits party in a huff after leadership elections
Former Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong has quit the party with immediate effect after three lawmakers surprisingly lost in the recently concluded state party election.
The veteran leader blasted the new state leadership for playing politics and squeezing out other factions instead of adopting an inclusive approach.
He decided to become...
Former Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong has quit the party with immediate effect after three lawmakers surprisingly lost in the recently concluded state party election.
The veteran leader blasted the new state leadership for playing politics and squeezing out other factions instead of adopting an inclusive approach.
He decided to become a "free man" as the party election destroyed what they fought for and the unity in the state party.
Without mentioning any names, he said those people set a bad example for Sabah DAP and they were eager for quick success.
He cautioned that the faction that won in the state party polls could bring a crisis to the party.
Wong was upset that the politicians failed to take an inclusive approach, and this resulted in the defeat of big names such as Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin, Kepayan assemblyperson and state Wanita DAP chief Jannie Lasimbang, former senator Adrian Lasimbang and Elopura assemblyperson Calvin Chong.
Former Sabah health minister Frankie Poon has been elected as state DAP chairperson and Phoon Jin Zhe replaced Chan as the new state secretary.
Wong's son Justin, who is Sri Tanjong assemblyperson and newly minted state committee member, garnered the most votes during the party polls.
"I have promoted and cultivated new generations. Poon and Phoon were the talents brought into the party (by someone)," he was quoted as saying by Overseas Chinese Daily News yesterday.
Wong said those who were excluded from the state committee were also treasures of the Sabah DAP.
"You don’t keep loyalty, and you don’t want the brains of the party to be in the committee, so what do you want?" he was quoted as saying by The Star.
"I am one of the oldest members who has been with the party since 2007 and I was among those who brought this party up from nothing to where it is today.
"But in the recent state election, you did not even invite me, and I was not even named the adviser anymore, what humiliation is this?" he asked.
Wong, who is also former Sabah DAP chief and former Sri Tanjung state assemblyperson, is expected to hold a press conference at Tawau today.
Wong urged to retract quitting decision
In an immediate reaction, DAP deputy secretary-general Teresa Kok has urged Wong to retract his decision to quit the party.
Kok said she read the announcement of the former DAP Sabah chairman with great shock and sadness.
"The main reason that triggered the resignation of Wong is the outcome of the DAP Sabah election on Nov 21, 2021, where some incumbents have been voted out."
"I hope Wong can understand that the outcome of the DAP Sabah state election last Sunday might not satisfy the expectation of everyone in the DAP Sabah, but this was the outcome arising from the process of democracy, " she said.
Kok said the party leadership values Wong's contributions to the party and the people of Sabah in the past years.
"Although he has retired from active politics in Sabah, his contributions and assistance to the party in Sabah are still very much needed.
"I further hope that Wong will reflect upon his decision and retract his resignation soon," she said.
