Sarawak DAP denies ‘nothing good to say’ claim

 

Demanding transparency is Sarawak DAP’s responsibility, Dr Kelvin Yii tells state minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has denied a claim by Sarawak’s tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister that the local DAP chapter never had anything good to say about the Gabungan Parti Sarawak-led state government.

Yii said it is untrue that Sarawak DAP never supports what is best for the state. He said its MPS have openly debated and supported bills and laws tabled by the government of the day which benefit the state.

“It is because Sarawak DAP cares and wants the best for the state, we play our role as a check and balance to ensure proper implementation of policies to prevent any wastage or abuse, no matter how noble or good the intention of the current government,” he told FMT.

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He also said wanting what is best for the state is not just about praising the government but, more importantly, demanding for transparency and accountability for every project and even direction of any policy-decision.

“That’s our role as a responsible opposition within the state,” he said.

He was responding to state minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who slammed Sarawak DAP for its lack of positive comments on the GPS-led state government.

Karim said even if the state government does tremendously well in managing its finances, resources or infrastructure, Sarawak DAP will choose to keep silent or find some areas to criticise.

Yesterday, Sarawak DAP Youth said the RM30 million spent on the flagpole erected in Petra Jaya could have been better utilised for practical projects and poverty eradication programmes.

Its chief, Peter Hee, even called out the 76 elected GPS assemblymen, accusing them of failing to address the severe economic impact on the people.

He claimed that the GPS assemblymen were aware of the unnecessary nature of the flagpole and the mismanagement of funds, but chose to remain silent.

Hee’s remarks came after The Borneo Post yesterday reported that the flagpole appeared to have been completed ahead of schedule. The flagpole is said to be 99m tall – 4m higher than the nation’s tallest flagpole at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur.

Located between the state legislative assembly complex and Fort Margherita, the flagpole is a corporate social responsibility project commemorating the 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s participation in the formation of Malaysia. - FMT