KUCHING: Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen today (July 1) said DAP will not remain as an opposition party in the state forever, as politics is a game of numbers.
“Some quarters can always claim that there will be no DAP (as government) in Sarawak, but it actually depends on how many seats we will have.
“The number of seats we have will become our strength, which will give us the opportunity to become part of the state government,” he said.
Thus, he advised the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) to start preparing early for the next Sarawak state election, which is expected to be held in another three years.
Chong, who is also the Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, said it is possible for the party to have “the numbers” or enough seats in the future to sit down and negotiate with the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“We can even work together with the GPS for the betterment of Sarawak. Look, what has happened at the federal level?”
“We could never have imagined seeing DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke sitting next to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, working together for the nation. But it happened.
“So, don’t say it is impossible to be part of the Sarawak government, especially after the formation of the Unity Government at the federal level, where DAP and GPS are working together as ‘kawan.’
“But, of course, for now, we still ‘lawan’ in Sarawak as we are still the opposition,” he said at the DAPSY Sarawak convention held at the party headquarters here today (July 1).
Similarly, DAPSY national chief Kelvin Yii said DAP will work with any party for the interest of the country and the people, regardless of race and religion.
He urged the young members to continue to play their roles in ensuring transparency and accountability in the government of the day.
“We support what is good for the country and the people and even offer our contributions, but if things go wrong, especially if there are elements of corruption or abuse of power, we must speak up,” he said.
Yii, who is also the Bandar Kuching MP, said the youths of Sarawak are capable of becoming not only leaders in Borneo but should be groomed and trained as leaders who can lead the country.
“We need more leaders who focus on economic issues, the cost of living, fighting for education and healthcare; definitely not those who like to talk or raise issues about races and religion, or the rights of the minority,” he stressed.
“We need to protect our country, including Sarawak. Do not assume that Sarawak is isolated and all these issues do not affect us. They will affect us if we allow Perikatan Nasional (PN) to become stronger; their influence will eventually affect the multiracial society in Sarawak and the whole country,” he added.
Meanwhile, Peter Hee has been re-elected as DAPSY Sarawak chief for 2023-2025, Roderick Wong as his deputy; vice-chief Yek Ling, Vice Chief Suzanne Wong, secretary George Lam, Treasurer Wong King Yii, Organising Secretary Chin Fang Chi, Deputy Organising Secretary Sim Kiat Leng, Publicity Secretary Julie Wong, Deputy Publicity Secretary Daphne Chong, while Soo Tian Ren is the Political Education Bureau chief.
