By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 31: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has welcomed Pending incumbent Violet Yong’s acknowledgement of him as a “great mayor”, but stressed that the position has a defined tenure and that his political future ultimately rests with the people and his party leadership.
Responding to Yong’s Facebook post suggesting that he could continue serving as MBKS Mayor even if he fails to win a seat in the coming Sarawak State Election, Wee said it was encouraging to receive such recognition after years of criticism.
Speaking during his ShallWeeTalk live session today, he jokingly remarked that it had taken almost seven years since he assumed office on Sept 1, 2019, for someone who had repeatedly criticised him to finally acknowledge that he was a good mayor.
“Better late than never. Perhaps she has finally come to that realisation. I feel that all the hard work I have put in has been worthwhile,” he said, adding that he had also met Yong for a drink earlier today, during which they discussed their differences.
On his future as MBKS Mayor, Wee said the position was subject to a maximum tenure and should not be portrayed as one that could be held indefinitely.
He said he had about 15 months remaining in office and pledged to continue giving his best regardless of how much time he had left.
However, he stressed that once a person’s tenure ended, the individual should be prepared to relinquish the position and allow a successor to take over.
“When you are no longer the mayor, you cannot continue telling the incoming mayor how things should be done. When the responsibility and mandate entrusted to you come to an end, you have to accept that you can no longer keep intervening. That is my personal approach to public service,” he said.
On speculation over potential candidates for the coming Sarawak election, Wee said his candidacy had yet to be determined, adding that the decision should be left to the political parties and their respective presidents.
“Our responsibility is to do our part well and continue carrying out our duties. If the people want us to continue our work, they will have to assess whether I still have the capability to serve them. Ultimately, that decision rests with the people, not with me,” he said.
He added that the public should not be given the impression that a mayor could remain in office indefinitely, as fixed tenures were important in allowing new individuals to step forward and lead.
Wee also pointed to the development of Batu Kawa under the leadership of Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian since 2011, saying it demonstrated how sustained development efforts could transform an area.
Recalling the argument that Dr Sim, being a doctor, should return to the medical profession rather than serve in politics, Wee said the development achieved in Batu Kawa today was there for the public to see.
“Today, the public can see the changes through infrastructure improvements, investments and the enhancement of residents’ quality of life.
“As for our area here, Kuching South, look at what has been achieved. We lost 15 years of development (under the opposition),” he said.
On the broader political climate ahead of the election, Wee called for more mature political discourse, saying politics should focus on addressing issues and delivering solutions rather than smearing opponents or engaging in personal attacks.
“Politics should not be about character assassination, smearing others or constantly looking for issues to attack. It should be about solving problems. That is what really matters,” he said.
Wee, who is a member of the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), said he would leave the decision on his candidacy to the party leadership.
There has been speculation over whether he would defend Padungan or potentially contest Pending in the coming election, although he has maintained that he would abide by the party’s decision.
In the 2021 12th Sarawak Election, Wee made his electoral debut as the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-SUPP candidate for Padungan, where he faced Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen in a four-cornered contest.
Chong retained the seat with 4,686 votes, defeating Wee, who secured 3,488 votes. Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) candidate Raymond Thong garnered 930 votes, while Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) candidate Lina Soo received 193 votes. — DayakDaily
