KOTA KINABALU: Opposition Parti Warisan claims that Sabah DAP lacks a clear direction for the state and is only seeking seats through political manoeuvring with its partners in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional.
Kota Kinabalu Warisan information chief Samuel Wong stated that Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe's recent assertion that GRS and Pakatan Harapan were focused on discussing seat arrangements reflected a lack of policy vision for Sabah.
Phoong, who is the state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, recently said that Sabah DAP was “only talking about seat arrangements and not an electoral pact with a manifesto or policy framework” in Pakatan's discussions with GRS and Barisan Nasional.
Pakatan has more or less sealed a seat-sharing agreement with Barisan while it is negotiating a similar electoral pact with GRS. However, GRS and Barisan are set to face each other in the state election.
"This indicates that Pakatan is merely playing a numbers game with Barisan and GRS, without offering Sabahans a real plan," Wong said in a statement.
He said the three major political coalitions have different goals, and this raised the question of how these parties would campaign in the coming elections.
"What message can they campaign on if Pakatan, Barisan, and GRS clash against each other? This obviously takes advantage of Sabahans for their own political survival," he said.
"Sabah's future direction demands a candidate from a party with a clear vision and a capable Chief Minister who can genuinely lead the state," Wong said.
He said Phoong's statement that they would be selecting “hardworking candidates” for the coming election was not enough.
"Sabah should have leaders who can effectively advocate for its rights and manage its own affairs," he said, adding that Sarawak, as a model, exemplifies how its leaders protect state rights and promote development.
"The coming election is about empowering Sabah's local parties with a strong and independent voice to negotiate with any federal government, including the current Unity Government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
"We need a strong Sabahan party that prioritises Sabah's interests in agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, and natural resources," he added.
He said Warisan under Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal decided to contest the state election solo and this reflected the party's position to give a strong and clear vision for Sabah.
"Sabah deserves leaders who are serious about charting a clear direction for the region's future," he said, adding that the election should not be reduced to a contest of who wins the most seats to form a government after nomination day.
