Tan feeling insecure about GE14 — DAP Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Tanjung Papat assemblyman Datuk Seri Raymond Tan Shu Kiah’s recent lambaste on DAP Sabah reflects his insecurities about the 14th general election (GE14), claimed DAP Sabah chairman Stephen Wong Tien Fatt.

Tan, who is Deputy Chief Minister and Industrial Development Minister, recently expressed doubts that Pakatan Harapan could reach an agreement on seat distribution among opposition parties in Sabah with Wong and DAP Sabah’s unwillingness to let go of urban seats.

He added Wong putting a 60% of the state seats ultimatum offer to Parti Warisan Sabah in January 2018 contradicted with the latter’s statement that the national-based opposition alliance was open to negotiations.

However, Wong laughed off the scathing remarks and questioned why Tan would bother about the activities of the opposition party.

“I think he is getting restless and worried that he will lose in the coming election,” said Wong, who is Sandakan member of parliament.

“He is talking nonsense. He should spend more time to look after his kawasan (state constituency area) and not fail the people that have elected him once again. Sandakan has reached such a sad stage that it has lost previous glory. Economically it is getting bad, no job opportunity, no industry but he is spending time to bother the opposition pact

“Maybe I have to engage him as our consultant on how to work out the pact. He is just worried and can foresee that his political life will end soon,” quipped Wong.

Wong claimed that Tan’s recent stunt is a strategic tossing of line to fish for votes as the latter had not been doing a good job in Sandakan.

“It seems like he has nothing to do. He has been in Tanjung Papat for so many years, has been minister, deputy chief minister but Sandakan and its economy is all lagging behind so much and he is going to bother? That is what I don’t understand,” said Wong.

“I also think he has to toss a line for the people to vote for him. Vote for him to bring the development of Tanjung Papat and Sabah as a whole.

“But what has he done for so long as Industrial Minister? Where is the industry in Sabah and where is the industry in Sandakan?” he asked.

Negotiations on seat distribution amongst the PH Sabah coalition and the state opposition parties are still ongoing for the looming GE14.

DAP Sabah had in the past said the party would hold on to the seats that it had won in GE13.

However, the party with PH Sabah, as well as Warisan and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) had repeatedly expressed willingness to work together with each other to topple Barisan Nasional (BN) in Sabah.

The Gabungan Sabah coalition, during its March 4 National Convention and Manifesto launch, is also seeking for collaboration to free Sabah from BN but adamant about not working with any Malaya political parties in its pursuit for a truly independent Sabah.