KUCHING: Padungan assemblyman and Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak vice chairman Wong King Wei has quit the party.
In a press statement on Sunday, Wong announced that he was relinquishing all party posts and resigning as DAP member with immediate effect. He also said he would not seek re-election in the coming state election despite being re-nominated by DAP to defend the Padungan state constituency.
“I’d like to thank Democratic Action Party (DAP) for re-nominating me to defend the Padungan state constituency in the coming Sarawak State Election, which may be called any time soon.
“The Padungan seat has been widely regarded by the leadership and grassroots members of DAP as one of the best winning chance seats held by the party.
“Having said that, I regret to inform all that I will have to respectfully decline this offer — to continue defending the Padungan seat,” Wong said.
Wong explained that he joined DAP in 2006 because he believed that integrity and sincerity were among the qualities of a statesman.
“I choose to announce my decision at this point of time because I was elected as the ADUN of Padungan under the ticket of DAP, therefore I have to serve as DAP State assemblyman throughout the whole term.
“This is a gesture of loyalty to all my beloved voters. Moreover, next Sarawak state election is just around the corner, this announcement, to me, is timely to allow time for DAP to make necessary preparations consequential to the vacancy left by me.
“I am of the view that the party has lost the greatest opportunity when ruling the country at federal level, to have our ideas and dreams realised into actions.
“During the 22-month rule under Pakatan Harapan (PH), what we said in front of the people and what we promised the people seemed to have gone down the drain. If we were to bring up our ideas and dreams as well as promises, the credibility of DAP would be in question. If we were to get back to where we started, with integrity and sincerity, it seems to me that the DAP has a lot to explain to our voters,” he added.
He pointed out that politics was not all about launching attacks against each other.
“When the DAP was the opposition, we did that a lot; when the DAP became part of the ruling coalition, we still did what we used to do.
“The politics of Sarawak is in need of some positivity in order to see the state move forward.
“DAP leaders have through the Socialist Youth made it public that they want to get back the Batu Lintang seat which was contested by PKR.
“Why are you doing this to an ally of yours? Why can’t you just sit down with your ally and sort it out among yourselves?” he asked.
He noted that recently, Michael Kong, a special assistant to Chong Chieng Jen (DAP Sarawak chairman), hit out at Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) president Datuk Richard Wee on social media.
“This makes my skin crawl. I have read Datuk Richard Wee’s statement which was published on July 20, the Chinese community leader was merely offering his personal opinions about the current political situation, and he predicted that urban and Chinese voters will likely support Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the coming state election.
“It is unbelievable that party leaders could not take such comments,” he said adding that Wee did not appeal to voters to vote for GPS.
“If DAP cannot even take comments that are not in favour of them, and has to resort to personal attacks, the party should be worried about where it is heading,” Wong commented.
He reminded DAP that Wee was a prominent businessman and the family business began from his grandfather’s time and passed down to his father who all succeeded in doing business.
“Datuk Richard Wee is related to the Wee Family who owns United Overseas Bank in Singapore.
“DAP has gone overboard to claim that Datuk Richard Wee had to depend on politics to succeed in doing business, especially when we all can see his services and contributions to the community.
“Michael Kong’s recent personal attacks against Datuk Richard Wee is entirely uncalled for, and it serves no justice to do this to a community leader whom people look up to,” he said.
Wong said he was disillusioned with the direction and the way the party have been managed which had totally deviated from the aims, objectives and struggle.
He said party leaders should adopt an inclusive approach within the party, embrace every member and take in every opinion.
“Not all dissenting voice is meant to bring you down, at times, it can serve as an avenue to seek improvement; and not all pleasing statements mean well because they can blind you.”
Wong extended his appreciation to the voters for their trust and support over the last l 0 years.
“I thank you for all your love, criticism and even insults, because all these play a role to make me grow and mature in politics.”
He explained that he had no plan to join any other political party, and would not stand in any election in the near future. Wong first won Padungan seat in 2011 and defended it in the 2016 election.
