KOTA KINABALU: Sabah DAP’s first Kadazandusun assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi (pic) has quit the party, striking a blow to its hopes of making inroads into the state ahead of the next general election.
Bosi, who was the state DAP deputy chairman, cited differences with Sabah party chief Stephen Wong for his decision.
The Kepayan assemblyman said he would remain an independent in the interim.
“I will have to decide on a local political party that can and will fight for the indigenous communities and all Sabahans,’’ he added.
“The people deserve good leaders. That is why I am leaving DAP to seek a new platform,’’ he added.
Bosi said he sent his resignation letter to Sabah DAP secretary Chan Foong Hin on Aug 24. It stated that he would quit effective today.
“My differences with Stephen are miles apart and reconciliation is not possible,” he reiterated.
He claimed Wong reneged on a gentlemen’s agreement between him (Wong) and former Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong to ensure a no-contest for the state leadership in the 2015 party polls.
“This failed handshake is the basis of my decision,” Bosi added.
He also claimed that the Sabah DAP committee was out to sack him, and had referred him to the party’s national disciplinary committee which acted to suspend him for three months just before the May 30 Kaamatan celebrations.
When contacted, Wong said the party had tried to “patch up” with Bosi.
“But he stuck to his decision and it is a loss. However, the vacant spot can be filled by other leaders,” he added.
Friction between Bosi and the Sabah DAP leadership had been mounting since early this year amid talk that he would be dropped by the party as a candidate in the general election.
Last April, Bosi said he had given the party an ultimatum to agree to field him as a candidate, failing which he would quit the party.
Bosi won the Kapayan seat in 2013 with a 7,000-vote majority in a four-cornered contest.
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