KOTA KINABALU: Sabah veteran politician Datuk David Chong Ket Sui said many Chinese supporters have left Parti Warisan because they believe the party has failed to help the community.
Referring to reports in Chinese newspapers in which Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal acknowledged that many members had left the party, Chong said the development reflected growing disappointment among supporters.
“The party has already lost many people. Probably more than 10,000 members have left Warisan,” he claimed.
Chong claimed the absence of a Chinese minister in the State Cabinet had also contributed to the dissatisfaction.
He said many people were frustrated because the party only talked but failed to take concrete action.
Chong said Shafie had acknowledged that many members had left the party, although no exact figure was disclosed.
However, Chong maintained that supporters were leaving because they had lost confidence in the party, which he claimed had failed to protect the people’s interests.
“They said it was common for people to leave political parties and that it did not weaken the party despite many people having left.
“They say they cannot fight for the people’s interests because they are the opposition,” he said.
He added that many Chinese supporters regretted backing the party.
“If they cannot help the public, it is natural that people would leave the party,” he said.
Chong said the party should focus on serving the people and take action.
He further claimed that since the State Election last year, party leaders had remained silent.
“Since they won, they have seldom said anything to help the people.”
He also alleged that support among the Kadazan and Bajau communities had declined, although he said the party continued to enjoy stronger backing in parts of Sabah’s East Coast. – Wu Vuide
Chong shows a newspaper report.
