Wong, who is the assemblyman for Sri Tanjong, and Chong (Elopura) had resigned from DAP on Jan 20.

Warisan president Shafie Apdal said this was an important day for the party as it was in line with its aim of strengthening its position in the state.

“We are not a party with the government or that can offer projects but they chose to join us because they think Warisan is the right platform to fight for Sabah’s rights,” he told reporters at the party’s headquarters here today.

Speculation had been rife that Chong and Wong left DAP to support the GRS-BN government led by chief minister Hajiji Noor.

However, Chong said there was never any doubt they would continue to be part of the state opposition.

“Contrary to claims by my political enemies as well as DAP after photos of me meeting with the chief minister showed up on social media, I had no intention of supporting the state government.

“So, today it shows I’m firmly with the opposition and the Sabah opposition leader (Shafie),” he said.

Chong successfully defended his Elopura state seat in the snap state elections in September 2020.

Meanwhile, Wong, a first-term assemblyman, said although he was only elected in the last state polls, he had been active in politics since 2008.

“Having been loyal to DAP all my life, I left not because of personal interests but due to the loss of direction and serious infighting within the party.

“I believe that it is not in my best interest to continue sticking with a party that only wants me to be a ‘yes man’,” he said.

Wong added that he had every intention of remaining an opposition member in the current state assembly as he was voted in by the people for that purpose.

“I believe it will only be fair and responsible to my voters that I join an opposition party that champions the rights of Sabahans,’ he said.

With this move, Warisan now has 19 seats in the state assembly. It won 23 seats in the Sabah polls but later lost five assemblymen to GRS while one representative died.

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