KOTA KINABALU: DAP's central executive committee member Datuk Chan Foong Hin said there should be a renewal of political relationships for the future of good governance in the state.
Chan, who is also the Kota Kinabalu member of Parliament, said the Kinabalu Move in January last year saw the failed attempt of Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar to topple the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.
"When they (Umno lawmakers) withdrew from the GRS-BN coalition that made up the state government, at that time, PH needed to make a decision.
"At that time, we supported (Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri) Hajiji (Noor) because he received the mandate from the people during the 2020 state election. We want to ensure the government stays until the end of the term (next year)," he said during a DAP fundraising dinner here last night.
However, Chan said as DAP lawmakers came in midway of the 2020-2025 administration last year, nothing much can be done on the existing situation whereby Dr Aliakbar Gulasan is already a Pas appointed assemblyman in the state legislative assembly.
He added that technically, DAP has become an ally to Pas at the state level as the state constitution could not remove Aliakbar until the term ends next year.
The same goes for the political appointment of Community Development Leaders (PPM), instead of having only one to each constituency, there are two PPMs at certain areas following the political changes after the Kinabalu Move.
He also called out Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee to be professional as the chairman of Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC).
As the Deputy Plantation and Commodities minister, Chan paid a visit to POIC to better understand the needs and industry in Lahad Datu, but Yong was not around.
He said the same situation happened when the state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship minister and DAP Luyang assemblyman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe went to POIC twice.
"SAPP's status is (also questionable) as it is part of Perikatan Nasional at the federal level and member of GRS in Sabah.
"Can we let this kind of relationship continue to be sustainable? I personally don't think it is feasible nor sustainable, we should renew the political relationship."
Meanwhile, Chan said Sabah DAP would defend the Sri Tanjong and Elopura seats in the next state election. Both incumbents had switched to Parti Warisan in March 2022.
Sabah DAP has elected representatives in Likas, Luyang, Kapayan and Tanjong Papat.
Present at the dinner last night were Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Frankie Poon, Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang, Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt, Phoong, and Sandakan member of parliament Vivian Wong.