Latest news with #SabahDAP
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sabah polls about respect, not autonomy, says Sabah DAP
KOTA KINABALU: The decision on Sabah's electoral collaboration and seat allocation is more about mutual respect and exclusivity than outright autonomy, says Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin. "It's about mutual respect. Any decision made must take into account that it's not just about Sabah alone, as it also affects the federal landscape," said Chan, who is also Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister, after launching the Malaysian International Cocoa Fair at the Sabah International Convention Centre. The Kota Kinabalu member of parliament was responding to claims that Sabah DAP lacks autonomy in determining its political alliances, following the recent announcement of cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) under the Unity Government Secretariat. "Prior to the announcement, there was no official decision. Even now, the arrangement is not final – the door remains open for other like-minded parties to join the BN-PH Plus collaboration. "As for reports suggesting Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) plans to contest all, or between 51 and 52 seats – that is quite normal at this stage. "But since these three coalitions – BN, PH, and GRS – each intends to work together, any final seat arrangement will need to return to a coalition-wide consensus, which is inherently complex." Commenting on PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's remark that her party aims to contest at least 13 seats in Sabah, Chan said that fell under the broader PH framework. As for Sabah DAP, he said that the party was eyeing 10 constituencies, including its incumbent seats in Luyang, Likas, Kapayan, Tanjong Papat, Sri Tanjong, and Elopura.
Borneo Post
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sabah DAP's 'autonomy myth' shattered, says SAPP
Yong Yit Jee KOTA KINABALU (May 9): Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) criticised the arrangement of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to jointly contest the upcoming Sabah state election, calling it a direct blow to Sabah DAP's long-standing claim that 'Sabah DAP has autonomy.' Its Supreme Council member cum Vice Youth chief, Yong Yit Jee, also exposed DAP central leadership's previous assurance of 'empowering' Sabah DAP as an empty promise. 'On 10 November 2024, DAP Secretary General personally declared that Sabah DAP had been granted autonomy to negotiate its own cooperation. Yet in just half a year, the latest announcement by the Unity Government has completely proven that to be false,' he said in a statement today. Yong pointed out that in the official statement released by the secretariat of the Unity Government on 9 May 2025, it is clearly stated: 'Segala keputusan akan dimuktamadkan oleh kepimpinan tertinggi Pakatan Harapan dan Barisan Nasional di peringkat kebangsaan.' ('All final decisions will be made by the top leaderships of PH and BN at the national level.') 'May I ask DAP, both national and Sabah, whether this is what they call 'autonomy'? Sabah DAP can't even decide its own seat allocations, and everything is determined in Kuala Lumpur — yet Sabah DAP can shamelessly tell the people they have autonomy?' Yong further criticised Sabah DAP's for their repeated inconsistencies — such as firmly denying any cooperation with Umno before the 2022 general election, only to later sit in the same government after the polls. Now, Sabah DAP has gone a step further by becoming a mere puppet and executor of decisions made by the central leadership of PH and BN, thus betraying their original promises to the people of Sabah. 'The people of Sabah are not forgetful. One single statement from the central government has exposed all Sabah DAP's falsehoods. Can Sabah DAP still face the voters with a straight face and claim that they represent Sabah?' Yong stressed that what Sabah truly needs is a party that is firm in its stance and refuses to compromise with the central authorities, not agents who chant slogans while accepting decisions handed down from KL. 'Sabah is not a vassal of Malayan parties, and the power to decide Sabah's fate should not lie in distant KL. The people of Sabah deserve autonomy and the right to self-determination — not external control! 'Therefore, SAPP calls on all Sabahans to unite and support a truly Sabah local based government that will fight for their rights and aspirations. In the coming state election, Sabahans will have the chance to choose a voice that truly belongs to Sabah — not political actors who merely change their 'packaging' but remain obedient to outsiders.' 'Now is the time for us Sabahans to unite and build the Sabah we rightfully deserve.'
The Star
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Put solutions and results before politics, Phoong tells Sabah DAP members
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah DAP's priority must be on sound policies and results that benefit the people instead of playing political games, says its chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. He said the party must propose clear solutions to Sabah's pressing challenges, deliver real progress, articulate its vision for the state's future, and earn the people's trust through hard work and tangible outcomes. 'DAP now plays a governing role at both federal and state levels and its leaders, from ministers and assemblymen to grassroots members, must live up to the expectation of being capable and results-oriented,' he said after the party's 2025 Leadership Retreat here from Friday to Sunday (May 2 to 4). He also called on members to maintain a clear identity and focus amid the fluid and unpredictable political landscape in Sabah. According to Phoong, the party remained open to constructive dialogue with any party that shares its reformist direction. He also said any talk of a political alliance for the upcoming state election was premature. 'Alliances must go beyond stability. They must also propose a governing vision. That's why I've always stressed, before we talk about alliances, let's talk about policies first. That's the role DAP hopes to play,' Phoong said. Last month, Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the coalition had decided to form an alliance with Sabah Pakatan Harapan for the state polls. Phoong responded that Sabah DAP was open to working with Sabah Barisan but that a formal meeting must be held first with other members of Pakatan. The DAP Leadership Retreat saw national and state party leaders gather with grassroots representatives for in-depth discussions on election strategy, governance policies, and the future of Sabah. Among those present were national chairman Gobind Singh Deo, national organising secretary Khoo Poay Tiong, publicity secretary Yeo Bee Yin, strategy director Liew Chin Tong, political education director Howard Lee, elections director Wong Kah Woh, and state party secretary Vivian Wong.
