Protesters rally outside DAP HQ over seat swap
(Borneo Post) – KUCHING: About 80 protesters held a demonstration outside the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) headquarters yesterday against the party’s decision to swap the Batu Lintang state seat for Padungan with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
WE WANT VOON: The protesters outside DAP headquarters — Photo by Kong Jun Liung
The protesters are believed to be supporters of incumbent Batu Lintang assemblyman Voon Lee Shan.
The group led by DAP Serian branch advisor Tay Wei Wei arrived at around 3pm with banners stating: “DAP is not for Chong and Ho Leng family!!! Why voices of majority not heard.”
They could be heard shouting, “Hidup Voon Lee Shan” (Long live Voon Lee Shan).
Tay told reporters that the protesters were DAP members but refused to say which branches they were from.
He said they were upset over the seat-swapping between DAP and PKR and claimed the decision was aimed at eliminating Voon and incumbent Padungan assemblyman Dominique Ng.
“We would like to urge central leaders to withdraw such a decision and let Voon defend the Batu Lintang seat. We hope that our leaders will take our feelings into consideration.
“We might form a ‘Pakatan Bebas’ and contest in five seats in Kuching if our request is denied,” he said.
He added that a demonstration involving thousands of protesters might be called soon.
In a news conference later, state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen said the party respected any form of expression as it was a proper way to voice one’s opinion in a democratic society.
“However, what is happening today (Saturday) is something fishy,” he said. He claimed that two Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Batu Lintang members were with the group and showed the press a photo of the duo sitting at a coffee shop next to DAP headquarters.
“Whatever tactic they want to use it is up to their choice but right now they are on camera. We have the soft copy. There are over 100 coffee shops in Kuching. It is more than just a coincidence that they come and leave with the group,” he said.
Chong added that he believed Voon had nothing to do with the demonstration.
Tay later contacted reporters to clarify that the demonstration was not instigated by SUPP.
He said the demonstration was merely to show their disappointment over the decision.
