Former Sabah DAP state rep says party only "empty talk"

 KOTA KINABALU: Former DAP nominated assemblyman Ronnie Loh, whose decision to switch allegiances with 16 other assemblemen led to the dissolution of the Sabah assembly, says DAP is “All Talk and No Action.”

Breaking his silence a week after quitting the party to join the now failed political coup against the Warisan Plus state government, Loh accused the DAP of failing to honour its promises to the people.

“Instead they are busy politicking, supporting Tun Dr Mahathir Mohathir.

"They are being led by the nose, contrary to their previous claim that they 'can control or influence Tun'," he said in a statement Wednesday (Aug 7).

He said Sabah DAP was “marginalised” and given little respect by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who did not respect allies such as Upko, DAP and PKR.

He said factional infighting and power struggles among state DAP leaders were also factors driving him to leave the party.

Loh, a long-term resident of the state from Peninsular Malaysia, was controversially appointed as a nominated assemblymen by Sabah DAP following the death of former Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Stephen Wong in May 2019.

He said after Warisan Plus formed the government after the May 2018 general election, he and Wong went to meet DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (who was Pakatan Harapan Finance Minister then) to seek positions in the Federal Government.

However, Lim responded to their request by saying, “There are many Chinese leaders in West Malaysia who are queuing. Sabah will have to wait their turn”.

Loh, who has been under fire for leaving DAP in the coup attempt, threatened to take legal action against anyone who claimed he left because of monetary incentives.

“My motive for quitting the party is very simple. My mission and purpose is to serve the people, ” he said, adding that he had no real power and could not help solve the people's problems.

The 56-year-old said he would announce his political direction next week.

Loh, together with 32 other assemblymen, pledged support for former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman in his bid to topple Shafie’s government last week.

However, the governor agreed to dissolve the state assembly on July 30.