KOTA KINABALU: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) is asking the people to challenge its ideas for developing Sabah, rather than harping on racial sentiments.
Secretary-general Anthony Loke said that allegations suggesting the Chinese community was attempting to take control of Sabah were coming from those "bankrupt of ideas".
"What percentage of the population in Sabah is Chinese? How many Chinese-majority seats are there in all of Sabah? Hardly 10. The DAP only contested seven seats during the last election," Loke said.
"And not all seven are Chinese-majority. Only three or four are Chinese-majority. The rest are mixed seats. In the case of Kapayan, there are even more Kadazan people," he added.
"To say that the Chinese can take over Sabah is just plain racial politics. It shows that those making these claims have no real political understanding," he said during a press conference after officiating in the Sabah DAP Ordinary Convention here.
Recently, a post appeared on social media implying that incumbent state party chairman Datuk Frankie Poon had claimed that DAP should have full control of Sabah as the Chinese population had supposedly doubled.
Poon denied making this statement and had lodged a police report.
Loke, who is transport minister, said DAP was currently focusing on constructive roles, especially in infrastructure development, to support progress.
"I would like to emphasise that the federal government will continue to support Sabah. Last week, the Sabah chief minister had talked about the blue economy.
"The prime minister has instructed the Transport Ministry to develop policies and plans for advancing the maritime sector, especially ports," he said, adding that the ministry would also help with airport upgrades to boost Sabah's economy and create jobs.
Earlier, during his speech, Loke highlighted Sabah DAP's contributions not only to development but also to political stability, which was crucial for the state's post Covid-19 economic recovery.
He added that it would be up to the newly elected Sabah DAP committee to prepare for the upcoming state election.
"This new committee will lead Sabah DAP into the next state election, which we expect within the year. Our mission is to win all the seats we contest," he said, noting that Sabah DAP has the autonomy to choose its candidates.