Phoong
KOTA KINABALU (Mon Aug 14): Phoong Jin Zhe today alleged that Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) was trying to destabilise both the Federal and Sabah Unity Government by sowing discord among Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The Sabah DAP secretary said SAPP president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee’s suggestion that peninsular-based political parties refrain from contesting in the next state election does not represent the stance of GRS.
“Many have enquired about my comment towards the statement of President SAPP Datuk Yong Teck Lee today, I am of the opinion that his statement is irrelevant and does not represent the stance of GRS, Phoong said in a statement.
He added that it was clear that SAPP is trying to destabilise both the Federal and Sabah Unity Government by sowing discord among GRS and Pakatan Harapan.
“As SAPP is still within Perikatan Nasional, its agenda is clear and I believe the people will judge for themselves,” Phoong said in a statement Monday.
He added that DAP Sabah is determined to continue to ensure political stability to recover Sabah’s economy amid the post-pandemic era, will continue to support the Federal and Sabah Unity Government until the end of the term.
On Sunday, Yong said he would propose that GRS friendly parties including PH, Barisan Nasional and PN stay out of the race to avoid any overlapping of candidates contesting in the election.
Speaking after opening the SAPP Kota Kinabalu branches annual general meeting here Sunday, Yong said: “My view is that as it is a state election, it should be contested by local-based parties and that peninsular-based parties should stay out of the election.
“I will propose that GRS friendly parties including PH, BN and PN stay out of the race. This is to avoid any overlapping of candidates contesting in the election. There are local parties Sabahans can choose from … present your election manifesto and let the rakyat decide,” said added.
Yong, who is a nominated State assemblyman also said that SAPP, which is part of Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the federal level, will be standing with GRS in the state election. SAPP is part of GRS at the state level and PN at the federal level.
“To clear any doubts, SAPP will stand with GRS as we are part of the coalition of seven local-based parties in Sabah and we will be contesting under one logo, GRS’ logo. We can negotiate on the seats allocation between ourselves because from my experience in the last general election, too much time and energy were wasted in negotiations (with peninsular-based parties),” the former Chief Minister said.
Phoong said DAP Sabah, a member of PH, is determined to continue to ensure political stability to recover Sabah’s economy amid the post-pandemic era.
“We will continue to support the Federal and Sabah Unity Governments until the end of the term,” he said, adding Yong’s statement is irrelevant.
