Sabah Dap S Top 2 Set To Lead Fight Against Warisan S Wong

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Sabah DAP’s top two leaders, Phoong Jin Zhe and Chan Foong Hin, are expected to contest in Likas and Tanjung Aru, respectively, as the party is set to unveil its Sabah state election candidates tomorrow.
The move is seen as part of a strategy to defeat its archrival, Warisan vice-president Junz Wong.
Phoong, the incumbent Luyang assemblyperson and a state minister, also chairs Sabah DAP, while Chan is the MP for Kota Kinabalu, deputy plantation and commodities minister, and the party’s Sabah deputy chairperson.
Phoong (above, left) has served two terms in Luyang, while Chan (above, right) previously indicated he would not contest in the coming state election.
ADSHowever, Malaysiakini has learnt that the party’s internal strategy prompted Phoong to move to Likas, while Chan agreed to contest, aiming to wrest Tanjung Aru from Warisan.
DAP leadership is banking on the duo’s high profile and strong grassroots machinery to mount a formidable challenge and unseat Wong.
Warisan vice-president and Tanjung Aru assemblyperson Junz WongWong was previously a DAP member and won the Likas seat under the party’s banner in 2013. He defected to Warisan in 2016, went on to win Tanjung Aru in 2018, and retained it in 2020 with 60.34 percent of the total votes.
If Wong chooses to defend his current seat, he will face a tough challenge from Chan. But if he returns to his old turf in Likas, he will go head-to-head with Phoong.
When contacted by Malaysiakini on speculation about Chan contesting Tanjung Aru, Wong replied briefly, “no issue”.
However, he did not rule out moving to another seat for strategic reasons, including Api-Api.
The current Api-Api assemblyperson is PKR’s Christina Liew, who is widely expected to make way for a new candidate.
Both Phoong and Chan, when contacted, said the public should wait for the official announcement tomorrow.
Sabah DAP membersStill, Chan has been noticeably active in Tanjung Aru recently, holding several walkabouts and community events today alone to meet residents.
Taking aim at defectors
In the 2020 Sabah state election, DAP won six seats. However, two of its assemblypersons - Calvin Chong (Sri Tanjong) and Justin Wong (Elopura) - quit the party in January 2022 and joined Warisan two months later.
Following the dissolution of the state assembly, another DAP representative, Frankie Poon (Tanjong Papat), quit the party on Oct 11.
ADSMalaysiakini understands that DAP plans to contest eight seats in the upcoming polls, focusing on recapturing those lost to defectors.
If it is confirmed that Phoong moves to Likas, his current stronghold in Luyang will likely be handed to his right-hand man Chan Loong Wei, who is also the state DAP Youth chief.
Party sources said Sandakan MP Vivian Wong is expected to contest in Elopura, while Tawau municipal councillor and state DAP committee member Yap Wui Lip will likely be fielded in Sri Tanjong.
Sandakan MP Vivian WongMeanwhile, Sabah DAP deputy publicity secretary Tang Szu Ching is tipped to contest in Tanjong Papat.
Incumbent Jannie Lasimbang is expected to defend her seat in Kapayan, while at Kemabong, a constituency in the interior where DAP will contest for the first time, former Tenom MP Noorita Sual is the likely candidate.
The seat is currently held by Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) vice-president Rubin Balang, who is embroiled in the mining licence scandal - an allegation that he has denied.
Noorita defeated Rubin in the 2018 general election for the Tenom parliamentary seat but lost to his son, Riduan Rubin, in 2022.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke will officially announce the candidates and launch the party’s election machinery at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu tomorrow at 11.30am.
The following day, Prime Minister and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is expected to unveil PKR’s list of candidates. - Mkini

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