KUCHING: Newly elected Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan said he was no longer a DAP member since 2011.
“They dismissed me on the night of April 5, 2011, the eve of nomination day for the 10th Sarawak state election.
“This was at Kuching DAP headquarters in Padungan when my Batu Lintang seat was swapped with PKR Padungan seat, killing two birds with one stone. Out too was the incumbent for Padungan, Dominique Ng Kim Ho, who was not asked to defend his seat,” he clarified.
He was responding to DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen who said that based on the party’s updated membership records, Voon is still a DAP member.
“I congratulate him (Voon) on his newly elected post as the president of Parti Bumi Kenyalang. But based on our DAP records, he is still a member of DAP,” the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister told a press conference at the DAP headquarters here.
“Our organising secretary has checked and he (Voon) has not tendered his resignation,” he said.
Chong said DAP Sarawak would issue a letter in due course, requesting Voon to explain himself given that the party’s constitution does not allow dual membership.
To this, Voon, who is ex-Batu Lintang assemblyman said, “What to tender when I have been sacked! That’s the law!”
According to Voon, his dismissal was made although five out of seven branches in Kuching wanted him to defend his Batu Lintang seat.
“Although I was dismissed, I campaigned for the party and also for See Chee How who won the Batu Lintang seat handsomely.
“I have to thank Lim Kit Siang for consoling me and asked me to help in the campaign, which I did.
“I have no ill feelings against anyone of them when they sacked me that way without any warning to me. No reason was given except for a short remark to say DAP did not need my service any more, that’s all. The bridge was broken! My heart sank!”
Voon said over the years, he tried to find why he was “abandoned”.
In his search for answers, he said he met many veterans in politics who said he breached rule number one, and having done that, he also breached rule number two.
“Some veteran politicians explained that Batu Lintang was my garden and Padungan was Dominique Ng Kim Ho’s and the fruit trees planted by us grew well.
“They also told me the fruit trees in Batu Lintang and Padungan were beautiful and sweet but can be poisonous! So, eat nicely …”
Voon said as an abandoned political child, he wandered in the wilderness for many years, but while he was at a roadside in Samaria (re: Bible), some good Samaritans saw him, picked him up and brought him home.
“There was great joy in heaven that an abandoned child was back! Heaven has opened its door to me and now I have a home. Thank God and Jesus is my savour! My God is merciful!”
