By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Aug 8: A stronger opposition can push the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to improve its policies and governance, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
He said this was why both the government and opposition had important but complementary roles in Sarawak’s development.
“We cannot see that one side is more important than the other, or we only need one side and don’t need the other side. We play different but complementary roles to help our State reach its full potential.
“I’ve said it many times—checks and balances are equally important when it comes to running a good government,” he said when met after the public town hall debate with Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap at Crown Square Community Hall here last night (Aug 7).
Dr Yii said he believed GPS would win the next State election and could even secure a two-thirds majority, and even relayed Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) acknowledgement that the State government, under the coalition, had implemented several good policies and would support those initiatives.
However, Dr Yii said Sarawak would also benefit from having a credible opposition presence in the State Legislative Assembly (DUS), and suggested that even ten per cent of the seats held by the opposition could provide a more diverse voice.
“The fact is that the GPS government has started doing better when the opposition got stronger, when the opposition brought up different issues for them to address,” he said.
Additionally, Dr Yii stressed that the government and opposition should not be viewed as enemies.
“Don’t see it as we are fighting one another. See it as we are complementing one another,” he said.
On the town hall debate, Dr Kelvin said Sarawak should create more space for mature and democratic political discussions, adding that differences in political views should not prevent politicians from engaging in constructive debates.
He also welcomed other opposition parties to participate in similar discussions and present their views on Sarawak’s future.
“I think it is the right of every Sarawakian to listen to what they have in mind for the future of Sarawak,” he said.
Regarding DAP’s participation in the next State election, he confirmed that the party would contest seats, although the specific constituencies had yet to be finalised.
“DAP Sarawak will contest in the State election because we want to give an alternative to the people,” he said, adding that DAP believed Sarawak needed a strong opposition presence regardless of how well the government performed.
The public town hall, organised by Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) and moderated by its president Geoffrey Tang, brought together Yap and Dr Yii for a debate on ‘The Role of Government, Opposition, and Checks and Balances in the Development of Sarawak’ focusing on governance, accountability, political representation, and the respective roles of the government and opposition in shaping Sarawak’s future. — DayakDaily
