Store Next Door Not Necessarily Better Says Dap Mp On Sabah Exodus

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After three DAP Sabah leaders quit the party, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin reminded the trio that the "next store" is not necessarily better.
The exodus of two Sabah state assemblypersons and a former senator from DAP is related to the state party election two months ago.
Sri Tanjong rep Justin Wong, Elopura assemblyperson Calvin Chong and former senator Adrian Lasimbang were upset with the new party leadership, especially its new chairperson Frankie Poon.
When contacted, Chan (above) said he had tried his best to persuade them to remain with the party when he was informed by them about their decision.
Personal disputes within the party should not be the reason for any members to leave the party, he said, urging them to stay calm and to reminisce about their original intention when participating in the political movement.
"I admit there are some issues within Sabah DAP, but it shouldn't be the reason for one to leave the party," he said.
"If you join a political movement with a clear direction in your struggle, you will not be deviated by personal disputes within the party, even if there is any," he said.
"Party politics cannot completely escape the situation of losing in a party poll, being kicked out or excluded. You may face a similar situation when you leave for another party," he said.
The trio announced their decision to quit DAP in a statement last night, citing a loss of confidence in the party's leadership, particularly in Poon.
(Left to right) Justin Wong, Calvin Chong, and Adrian Lasimbang"The loss of direction, serious internal division, and almost defunct level of communication between leaders have caused us to believe that the party is no longer a party that will strive. And it is getting corrosive," they said in a statement.
Following this, there are only four elected representatives left in Sabah DAP - Poon (Tanjong Papat), Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang), Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan) and Tan Lee Fatt (Likas).
In November 2021, then Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong quit the party with immediate effect after three lawmakers surprisingly lost in the then recently concluded party election for its local chapter.
Besides Chan, Adrian, and Chong, Kepayan assemblyperson and state Wanita DAP chief Jannie Lasimbang was also defeated in the polls.
While noting there was some debate over the paths taken by the party, Chan reminded them that DAP, from a larger perspective, intends to bring changes to the country.
He, however, stressed that he not only referred to the trio in particular but also others who either quit or were mulling to resign from the party.
"You shouldn't think this 'store' is not good and the 'store next door' is better just for the sake of a few individuals. This is because these stores are fundamentally selling different products," he said without naming the other party.
"Even if you lost in the personal dispute, can the winner represent the entire party? Not really," said the 44-year-old.
It is believed that Chan was referring to Warisan, which has been aggressively recruiting members following its expansion to the peninsula.
Former DAP assemblyperson Danny Law, who resigned from the party, is said to be mulling to join Warisan.
Chan, who joined DAP in 2007 recalled two mass exodus from Sabah DAP which saw former Luyang state assemblyperson and Sabah DAP adviser Hew King Chew and the then state party secretary Junz Wong quit the party in 2013 and 2016 respectively.
Unlike the 2016 exodus, which saw nearly half of the state party committee members quit the party, Chan still expressed regret with the latest exodus of the trio.
When he first joined DAP, Chan said he had wanted to see a two-party system in Malaysia in order to end the dominance of a single party.
Even if things fall out of hand and the country is unlikely to head toward a two-party system, he still advised those who remain in DAP to hold on to their beliefs. - Mkini

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