Why not make S’wak DAP fully local-based opposition? Wong asks

Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh says Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen should decide on whether to turn the state DAP into a wholly localbased opposition party.

He said if Chong decides so, Sarawak DAP would have to withdraw from its national body and all its elected representatives quit their positions at the federal level.

“If he cannot bring himself to make such a bold move, at least he should emulate his national secretary-general Anthony Loke and be bold enough in taking the first step to join GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) for the sake of political unity in Sarawak,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Wong, the former president of now-dissolved Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), recalled that Loke had, after the last general election, personally met Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to extend his apology on behalf of national DAP leaders who had made undesired remarks against Sarawak and to request GPS to help form the next federal government.

He described Loke as “a true gentleman” who was willing to sacrifice for the sake of the country, and felt that the latter’s counterparts in DAP ought to emulate such spirit.

The statement was issued in response to Chong on Sunday labelling PSB as a ‘one election party’ that had contributed positively to GPS’ victory in the last state election.

According to Wong, Sarawak DAP is “now having its feet in two boats” – one being part of the federal government and the other playing the role of an opposition in Sarawak.

He said the dual role the state DAP is playing can be confusing and people may not be too clear about the party’s true principle and objectives.

“At the national level, DAP is in the same boat with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Unity Government, but in Sarawak it is playing the opposition, up against GPS.

“Such ‘have-it-all’ approach seems to augur well for Sarawak DAP to suit its political agenda, but this might not work out very well in the long-run,” he said, and suggested that Chong ponder over the future of Sarawak DAP instead of questioning the motives of PSB contesting in the last state election.

Wong had led PSB in the last state polls but last Saturday night, alongside 80,000 members, joined PDP and was appointed the party’s senior vice president.

Given this, the Bawang Assan assemblyman called upon Chong to place the country’s interest and harmony above all by setting aside personal interests and differences and choose to be united with GPS in fighting extremism and defending Sarawak’s political unity.

He reiterated that if Chong insisted on playing the role of opposition in Sarawak, the state DAP should cut its ties with their peninsula counterparts.

He said if the party however chooses to remain as the opposition in the state, Sarawak DAP elected representatives ought to relinquish their posts at the federal level.

He said presently, Lanang MP Alice Lau is Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker; Sarikei MP Roderick Wong Siew Lead, a senator; Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, a political secretary to the Human Resources Minister; and Chong’s special assistant Michael Kong, chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board.

“It is not appropriate for Sarawak DAP to enjoy the benefits of being part of the federal government while playing opposition in Sarawak, going against GPS. Rather than having one foot in two boats, PSB has made a decisive call by moving forward rather than engaging in irrelevant talks,” he added.

Further addressing Chong’s claim, Wong was adamant that PSB, as an opposition party, had never tricked the people or deceived the voters in the last state election.

“We had our aspirations and ambitions, hoping to give the best in serving our people. As time changes and with emerging extremism, we realise the importance of staying united, joining hands to fight extremism,” he said.

If he cannot bring himself to make such a bold move, at least he should emulate his national secretary-general Anthony Loke and be bold enough in taking the first step to join GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) for the sake of political unity in Sarawak.

Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh