DAP will defend the seats they won in the next Sabah state election, state DAP secretary Phoong Jin Zhe said, adding it will also continue to support Chief Minister Hajiji Noor until his term ends in 2025.

“Sabah DAP is determined to offer the best service as well as a progressive idealism for the people in Sabah in the next PRN (state election),” he said at the Sabah DAP Convention in Sandakan today.

The motions (defending seats won and supporting the state government) were two of seven that were passed at the convention, which saw DAP national organising secretary Steven Sim, who is also deputy finance minister, attending, representing the DAP Central Executive Committee.

Phoong, who is Sabah’s Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, said the state party committee also supports Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and expressed confidence Sabah will receive greater support to address problems in the state.

He said the state DAP also expressed their dedication towards upholding Sabah’s rights under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) and that the federal government should expedite its implementation including the 40% special grant.

They also urged the federal government to uphold the right to religious freedom and safeguard racial diversity, as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution and the Sabah Oath Stone.

Furthermore, they emphasised the importance of not yielding to religious extremists, preserving the spirit of the Malaysian Federation in line with the principles of the MA63 . – Bernama, December 3, 2023.