Wong’s resignation a wake-up call for DAP, says Sim
KUCHING: Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei’s shock resignation from Democratic Action Party (DAP) and refusal to defend his seat is a wake-up call for the party to review its political approach, says Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Stakan branch chairman Sim Kiang Chiok.
However, Sim who stood against Wong in the state election in 2016 believed that it would be difficult for DAP to change its ways and refrain from personal attacks as it has been ingrained in the party’s culture to resort to disparaging their political opponents.
Sim also pointed out that DAP had lost its credibility when it failed to fulfill the promises spelt out in its manifesto for the last general election after coming into power through Pakatan Harapan.
“For our Padungan YB (assemblyman) to come out and say DAP had failed to keep their promises when they were part of the federal government for 22 months confirmed to us that DAP would promise everything to everyone but they are not serious in fulfilling their promises or look after the people’s interest,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Among the promises made by DAP before the last general election which it failed to keep out were the 20 per cent oil and gas royalty, returning 50 per cent of tax collected from the state by the federal government, allocating 30 per cent of federal development budget to the state, and UEC recognition, Sim listed out.
On Wong’s political career, Sim said it was sad the Padungan assemblyman had decided to end his service to the people who elected him in the last election after his term ends, but it clearly showed that he is unhappy with his party.
“I am sure he would have retreated from politics on a much happier note rather than resigning from DAP and turning down his re-nomination through his resignation statement to the press, if he had not been disappointed with DAP.
“I wish him well and hope he will keep to his plan not to join any other political party or stand in any election in the near future.”