KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Democratic Action Party assemblyman Hiew King Cheu is toying with the idea of leaving the party to be an independent.
But first the Luyang assemblyman said he needed to get feedback from his supporters to see what would be the best step for him to take if he decided to leave DAP.
He said the people had been supporting him, but stressed that it would be a waste of time and loss to the people if being where he was now did not bring development to his constituents.
“Five years until the next general election without any improvement will be a waste of time and a loss to the people,” said the former Member of Parliament for Kota Kinabalu.
“I have received some feedback from my supporters and the majority of them advised me to get out and find alternatives to do what can be done for the people,” he explained.
Hiew, who is also the Sabah DAP advisor, said the chances of changing the government as hoped for before the May 5 polls was no longer possible.
“Five years is a long time and instead of me not getting anything done and having to withstand being played around within my own party, it is better that I consider other options which is best for the people,” he said, adding it did not necessarily mean he had to join Barisan Nasional for that.
He said he was still waiting for more feedback and was in no rush to make any decision.
Trouble started to brew within Sabah DAP when four party assemblymen urged DAP’s disciplinary board to take action against Hiew for supporting PKR’s Datuk Lajim Ukin instead of Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Wilfred Bumburing for the post of state opposition leader in June.
“My members are trying to kill me inside, but it is fine because with my experience and knowledge being so long in politics, I am sure I can do much better for my constituents if I really decide to go independent.
“If I can take the pressure given by my own members, then the pressure I may face from the party would be nothing,” he said.
Hiew also described some DAP members as being disrespectful and ungrateful for treating him the way he was being treated now.
In the recent general election, DAP won four state seats, PKR seven while Sabah State Reform Party (Sabah Star) won one against the 48 won by the BN.