KOTA KINABALU: It is more important for politicians to be bold and proactive in tackling issues rather than labelling a coalition as being peninsula-based or local.
DAP central executive committee member Chan Foong Hin said it is a wrong presumption that peninsula-based political parties would not look into local issues in Sabah.
"For example, the headlines of the newspapers today (June 4) are about Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers to sue Putrajaya over 40 per cent revenue share entitlement for the state.
"However, the newly-launched Gabungan Rakyat Sabah claims to be a local-based coalition … why are they not taking such an action? Is it because these 'local' parties also have bosses in peninsular Malaysia?
"Therefore, whether it is a national or local party, it is more important that original Sabahan leaders are willing to fight for the rights of Sabahans," he said during the Sabah DAP fundraising dinner last night.
Chan, who is also Kota Kinabalu member of parliament, added that Sabah PH - consisting of DAP, PKR, Upko and Amanah - was able to file the legal action as they have the autonomy to do so.
He said the four parties have discussed the issue since April and could make a decision without having to refer to their respective supreme councils.
"That is why Sabah PH is different. Just like Upko, which is originally a local-based party but now it has members in other states.
"When we are fighting for an agenda, we need to get (parliamentary) seats. If we only focus on domestic matters, it would be difficult to achieve," he said.
Present at the dinner were party vice chairman Nga Kor Ming, secretary-general Anthony Loke, and national organising secretary Steven Sim, as well as Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Frankie Poon, state secretary Ginger Phoong among others.
Also there were Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Christina Liew, Upko deputy president Datuk Donald Mojuntin and state Amanah chief Lahirul Latigu, as well as Sabah Muda chief Amos Thien.
During the event, Loke also said he hoped the people would support Sabah DAP leaders.
"DAP members of parliament won 42 seats during the general election in 2018.
"But until now, none of them have jumped to other parties including Kota Kinabalu MP Chan, Sandakan's Vivian Wong and Tenom's Norita Sual. This is something to be proud of and it proves people of Sabah can trust state DAP MPs."