KOTA KINABALU, Aug 30 — For a second time this month, Sabah DAP is battling rumours that one of its state lawmakers will be leaving the party soon.
Sabah DAP chairman Stephen Wong said dismissed today claims that its Kepayan assemblyman Edwin Bosi will be exiting the party, which set the political grapevine a buzz following his notable absence at the state party’s policy forum here yesterday.
“Rumours are always flying around, but we have not received anything. He and some others are not here today, but some have got other pressing things to do,” Wong said.
Veterinarian Bosi, who is Sabah DAP’s native consultative council chairman, was said to have quit the party and one state leader had even claimed that its central leadership in Kuala Lumpur had received notice of his resignation.
Bosi, the sole native Kadazandusun leader among DAP’s three state elected representatives and two MPs, later denied the allegations.
Local Sabah newspaper The Daily Express today reported Bosi saying he was not included in the party’s upcoming event at the Oath Stone in Keningau, adding that a banner promoting the event that featured him was not authorised.
Wong claimed Bosi has denied the report and put it down to a “miscommunication”.
“But if it happens that we do lose our KDM Adun, there are still others who will come up,” he said, using the initials for the Kadazandusun Murut community and the Malay abbreviation for assemblyman.
He explained that many were not present at the forum and Press conference today due to the upcoming 52nd anniversary of the Sabah Oath Stone in Keningau, tomorrow.
“I don’t see a problem moving forward, we have more natives joining us. We are making inroads into the villages with more on the ground work and more are joining us,” he said.
Sri Tanjung MP Chan Foong Hin urged the media and the public not to speculate for now, and that the party will handle its internal matters “with maturity”.
Earlier, Wong told reporters that Sabah DAP would be focusing on economic hardships faced by majority of Sabahans, work closer to the ground and also to overcome the baggage of identity politics.
“We want to get away from being seen as “anti Malay”, “anti Islam” or a “west Malaysian party” as often heard in Sabah. We strive to be an inclusive party for all and aim to be equal partners with Peninsula Malaysia and Sarawak in a healthy federation,” he said.
“The DAP will also continue to uphold native rights especially customary native land rights so as to secure sustainable livelihood for the native communities who are in many cases unduly pressured to give up their land and culture,” said Wong.
