Penampang MP quits Pakatan to join Shafie
Published on: Friday, September 23, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Penampang MP Darell Leiking (pic) left Parti Keadilan which he joined in 2008 on Wednesday and, together with former Umno Vice President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, will be taking over a Sabah-based political party."I have nothing but love for Keadilan but I feel that this is something that I must do. "Scanning the current political scenario in the State, the mood clearly indicates that the people want local-based parties and we are only giving the people what they want," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Darell said he left Keadilan which is part of the Pakatan coalition amicably and it broke his heart that he had to make the decision but felt that it is the right political move for him at the moment.This is the third time he is changing his political allegiance after starting off in Umno."I don't care if people said I am alone in leaving the party. It is fine. My passion for Sabah goes beyond anything else, even my family think I am too passionate. "But in the past few months, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Shafie more personally and I could see that we can work together. Despite what people said, he alone had helped many Sabahans.
ADVERTISEMENT
"People can throw a lot of racial slurs against him because of his ethnicity and they do, but not to lionise him, I believe this project will be most beneficial to bring back all Sabahans who are disunited thanks to ethnic-based politics, under one multi-racial party once again," he said. Darell also dismissed allegations that the party would simply be a proxy to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Malaysian United Indigenous Party (PBBM) because it had been agreed that Mahathir would not spread his party's wing to Sabah.
ADVERTISEMENT
He added that the party he and Shafie will be leading aimed to change the political landscape at both the national and State level.He also hinted that the party's new logo will resonate well with its aspirations and promised that it would be a "surprise" for many.However, he refused to divulge the name of the political party they were taking over and its proposed new name."I am a sentimental person. I want to go back to the old days when Sabahans were united politically. We want to bring a new political dynamics into Sabah. In order to do this, we will work together with all the other opposition parties – it is only rational for us to do so."But at the same time, we must be honest with ourselves on how we can reach our goal. We can't all of us want to win at the same time," he said.He urged all Sabahans to support Shafie's initiatives and to stand behind the man who only wants what is good for Sabah and its people.The first-term Member of Parliament won the Penampang seat at the expense of Upko President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in the 13th General Election.Following Darell's resignation, rumours are that PKR's Moyog Assemblyman Terrence Siambun will follow suit.However, when contacted, Siambun said he is still a member of PKR.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
