In a statement today, Chin criticised DAP’s “double standards”, pointing out that it strongly opposes PAS at the federal level.

He pointed to a recent statement by Sabah DAP secretary and state industrial development and entrepreneurship minister Phoong Jin Zhe, who had said DAP would not collaborate with PAS in the Sabah state election.

Chin noted that Sabah PAS commissioner Aliakbar Gulasan is an assemblyman appointed by GRS to the state assembly.

“Phoong’s statement is contradictory (to Aliakbar’s position as an assemblyman). This is merely a cheap political publicity stunt.

“If you truly have the commitment and conviction, you should resign from the state government and your ministerial position now to demonstrate your refusal to cooperate with PAS. Otherwise, what you say is just political deception.

“In fact, DAP and Sabah PH should not have joined the GRS state government in the first place,” he said.

Yesterday, Aliakbar was reported as saying Sabah PAS is keeping its options open for the state election and is happy with its current relationship with GRS.

His appointment as a nominated assemblyman in 2020, the first time a PAS member has been appointed to the position in the state’s history, was heavily criticised by the public, including opposition politicians.

They expressed concerns that his appointment would be the precursor for PAS to bring in what they called the party’s extreme religious and political ideologies into Sabah and undermine the harmony there.