KOTA KINABALU: A major restructuring exercise was unveiled by Sabah DAP as it reshuffled its candidates by bringing in two MPs and its Luyang strongman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe moving to Likas to contest in the state election.
Sabah DAP chairman Phoong, who is also state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, is moving out from his Luyang seat to Likas to strengthen the seat and take on new challenges amid growing grassroots dissatisfaction with the party.
He has dropped Likas incumbent Datuk Tan Lee Fatt, the state assistant minister for finance.
Sandakan MP Vivien Wong, who is also Sabah DAP secretary, will contest Elopura while Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong will contest Tanjung Aru, a stronghold of Parti Warisan.
Kapayan incumbent Datuk Jannnie Lasimbang is defending her seat, while Sabah DAPSY chief Chan Loong Wei will stand in Luyang whereas community leader Philip Yap will contest in Sri Tanjong and another young woman, Tang Szu Ching, will stand in Tanjung Papat.
The party is seeking eight seats but has currently been given a total of seven seats including the six it won in the last election to contest under Pakatan Harapan that has brokered an electoral pact with Sabah Barisan.
Three of its assemblymen – Tanjung Papat, Sri Tanjong and Elopura – had quit the party over the last four years.
DAP is still trying to fight for another seat believed to be in the interior Kemabong where former Tenom MP Nurlita Sual is said to be the candidate choice.
Kemabong is also being sought by Sabah Barisan.
Earlier, during the announcement, Loke explained that “moving” candidates from their strongholds was normal for the party in any elections as they formed winnable strategies.
He said this was one of their strategic moves to deploy the strongest candidates to face certain areas, especially challenging ones such as Tanjung Aru, which they had never won.
He said that Likas was also a tough seat and it was important for DAP to retain the seat while regaining voters’ trust in their leadership, which is why Phoong, a popular personality in Luyang, was chosen to take up that challenge and to prove his worth as the state DAP chief.
On questions whether DAP would insist on contesting one more seat, Loke said it has been agreed earlier on that DAP will contest eight seats and this decision sticks.
The announcement on which seat this is was not immediately made known to maintain decorum and out of respect for other coalition members, he said, adding that Pakatan wants to avoid any clashes with their allies as much as possible.
He said DAP will stick to using the Pakatan logo as a sign of unity and alignment with the federal government.
Asked if it was true that Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick had resigned from Cabinet, Loke said he was not aware but confirmed that the Sabah Pakatan chairman was present at Friday’s (Nov 7) Cabinet meeting, where issues including Sabah’s 40% net revenue claims were discussed.
Benedick had recently said that he would quit Cabinet if the federal government decides to appeal the High Court decision to grant Sabah’s rights to claim its 40% net revenue owed by the federal government.
Earlier in the event, Phoong said they must win all seats contested to make a competent government and bring the desired changes and development for the people.
“I am confident the team of candidates we have chosen for this round will be able to deliver to the people and state, and prove to the people that Sabah DAP is a force to be reckoned with,” he said.
He said the candidates included new faces who are actually grassroots leaders who have been serving for many years with the leadership, and are known to the people on the ground.
Phoong said new faces were needed to bring Sabah DAP’s new deal and new policies to reality, and feels that veteran leaders who have been in and out of the government for decades should now make way for young people.
He said as it would be impossible for any party to form a simple majority and a mixed coalition was inevitable, any leaders or parties who claimed otherwise were only talking big.
“That is why the people must choose the parties that are already working and know how to do the job, so that we can continue with ongoing policies and development plans for Sabah,” he said.
