“We thank them sincerely for their years of service and contributions to the party and to the people of Sabah. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” Phoong said in a statement today.

The state minister said it was time for Sabah DAP to stay focused on serving the people of Sandakan and bringing more positive development to the local community.

Phoong said he had full trust in Sabah DAP secretary and Sandakan MP Vivian Wong to consolidate and strengthen the party’s machinery in the area.

“My team and I, together with the new Sabah DAP leadership, will continue to work with honesty, humility and dedication to serve the people and carry on our struggle for a better Sabah for all Sabahans.

“Together, we will unfold a new chapter, one that brings hope, resilience and unity for all Sabahans,” he said.

Earlier today, Poon and Liau announced that they were leaving DAP, claiming the state chapter’s leadership was sidelining party veterans in favour of younger members.

Phoong dismissed their claims. He told FMT that Sabah DAP deputy chairman Chan Foong Hin and vice-chairman Jannie Lasimbang were among the veterans who still held important positions in the state chapter.

Poon had been Sabah DAP chairman from November 2021, until he lost to Phoong during the party’s state elections last year.

Having held the post since November 2021, Poon lost the Sabah DAP chairmanship to Phoong during the state chapter’s internal elections last year.

This made Phoong, 36, the Luyang assemblyman, the youngest Sabah DAP chairman.

Both Poon and Phoong were first elected as the assemblymen for Tanjong Papat and Luyang, respectively, in the 2018 general election. They successfully defended their seats in the 2020 state polls.