In a press conference in Kuching today, attended by Sarawak DAP Chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Yap said he has withdrawn the resignation and apologised for the attention the matter had drawn to the party.
“There has been a lot of speculation that I have been bought or jumped over to Barisan Nasional.
“These are baseless allegations. I dismiss them altogether,” Yap told reporters at the party’s headquarters today.
Yap was the subject of online speculation after a surprise resignation announced last week.
Yap however told reporters today that his resignation was actually submitted on Sept 11, but had gone unnoticed for a week.
“Every day, since last Saturday, I’ve received many, many phone calls from party members who said they were disappointed and sad with my resignation.
“I have re-considered (my resignation), after talking with the chairman because I did not want to do any harm to party members and my supporters.”
Yap was elected Dudong assemblyman in April 2011 when he beat SUPP incumbent Tiong Thai King.
In the last state election on May 7, Tiong reclaimed the seat with 9,700 votes, while Yap obtained 7,554 votes.
He was formerly the special assistant to the former Sarawak DAP chairman, the late Wong Ho Leng.
“I even received phone calls and messages from supporters that if I leave, they are going to die with me.
“Being an ex-YB, I should have considered their feelings, but for now I only remain a member.
“I will not hold any post because of peculiar reasons that I do not want to elaborate here,” Yap said.
“They are very personal reasons. The chairman is fully aware of my situation.
“I hope that this press conference will clear the air with our supporters in the party.”
Yap maintained he had a “very good working relationship” with Sarawak DAP and that he continued to pledge his “full support for the DAP and its ideologies.”
Chong described Yap as a loyal party member and that Yap had served Dudong well when he was the constituency’s elected representative.
He added that the DAP state liaison committee would meet soon to formally vote to reject the initial resignation letter.