We’re only doing our job as opposition, Sarawak DAP tells GPS

We’re only doing our job as opposition, Sarawak DAP tells GPS

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak DAP has fired back at Gabungan Parti Sarawak assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang for condemning the party’s continuous attacks against GPS, calling it an attempt to stifle legitimate dissent and scrutiny.

Michael Kong, an aide to Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen, said the party was simply fulfilling its role as the opposition and check and balance in the Sarawak assembly.

“Our duty is to represent the people, question excesses, and hold the government accountable. That is what a healthy democracy demands,” Kong said in a statement.

Earlier, Lo said Sarawak DAP’s repeated attacks on GPS called into question the sincerity of the government’s unity.

The Batu Kitang assemblyman said previous apologies from DAP over past offensive statements were discredited by their actions of repeatedly undermining Sarawak’s leadership.

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Lo pointed out that DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and adviser Lim Guan Eng had apologised to GPS over past statements by DAP leaders that offended the Sarawak government and people.

He said these apologies, made before the unity government’s formation, were quickly discredited by Sarawak DAP’s actions.

“Sarawak DAP has done nothing but oppose GPS at every turn, questioning our policies, casting doubt on our initiatives, and repeatedly undermining Sarawak’s leadership,” he said.

Kong also slammed GPS assemblyman Wilfred Yap, who criticised the federal government for sidelining East Malaysia despite debt reduction by RM22 billion over the last two years.

He said it is unrealistic to expect the government to slash new borrowings from RM99 billion to zero within one to two years, and that Yap’s criticism “reeks of double standards and selective outrage”

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“It is deeply hypocritical for Yap to condemn the reduction of federal borrowings while applauding the Sarawak government’s budgetary approach, which sees an increasing reliance on debt through its so-called ‘alternative funding’ mechanism,” he said.

Kong also questioned Yap’s criticism of the recently announced RM100 cash aid by the government to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above.

“Cash handouts are one of the most effective ways to directly channel financial aid to the people, particularly those in the B40 group.

“Is Yap now suggesting that programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah should be discontinued because they are also cash handouts?

“If he truly opposes cash aid, he must also be prepared to tell the people of Sarawak that they should not receive any form of direct financial assistance,” he said.