The youth wings of Warisan and the Sabah Democratic Action Party (DAP) are locked in a heated exchange over a corruption scandal and the party’s contributions to the state.
It all started when Warisan Youth Chief Terence Au, in a February 10 statement published by Malaysiakini, accused DAP of staying silent on the controversy while questioning what the party has done for Sabah.
DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sabah Chief Chan Loong Wei didn’t hold back. In a fiery response, he slammed Warisan for targeting DAP while ignoring other pressing issues.
“His claims not only misrepresent the reality but also fail to acknowledge the federal allocations and policy advancements that have benefited Sabah under DAP’s leadership,” Chan said.
He pointed to major investments under DAP-led ministries, including RM572 million for airport upgrades in Kota Kinabalu and Tawau, RM217 million for infrastructure projects in 2024, and the long-overdue amendment of Sabah’s Labour Ordinance under Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He also noted that Sabah was Malaysia’s top-performing state in manufacturing growth in 2023.
Then, he went on the offensive.
“Why is Warisan only attacking a minister who is delivering results while remaining silent on others? Their selective criticism raises serious concerns about their true motives—are they genuinely concerned about Sabah’s progress, or is this simply an attempt to score political points?” he said.
Chan then challenged Au to evaluate Warisan’s own leadership, particularly Deputy Minister Yusof Apdal’s performance over the past three years.
“As a young political leader, Au should debate with facts and figures. What has Warisan’s deputy minister achieved during his tenure in two different portfolios? If Warisan wants to talk about leadership, then let’s be fair—let’s debate based on results and achievements,” he said.
The spat comes as Sabah faces heightened scrutiny over corruption allegations to which The Vibes had confirmed with Au had largely over Sabah DAP’s supposedly review on its role working with the corruption scandal hit Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Leaked videos allegedly showing senior government figures from the GRS discussing bribes for mining licenses have surfaced, though Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has denied that any approvals were granted recently.
Last year, DAP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) granted its Sabah chapter full authority to reevaluate its role in the state government—a move that signals a stronger stance on transparency and accountability, as well as its unwavering stand against corruption.
But Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe had reaffirmed the party’s commitment to its role in the government, saying, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to serving the people and ensuring Sabah’s development.”
Sabah DAP had initially planned to engage with Pakatan Harapan coalition partners to discuss its role within the GRS-PH administration, but according to Phoong, those discussions never took place.
Instead, the party will now seek input from the public on its position in the state government before going back to Sabah PH again for deliberation. – February 12, 2025.
