KUCHING, Jan 6: It is as if Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is running a one-man show with the positions he holds, opines Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Speaking during a press conference today, Chong said Abang Jo is now holding the position as Chief Minister, Finance Minister, and on top of that the portfolio of New Economy, the portfolio of Urban Development and Natural Resources, as well as the portfolio of Energy and Environmental Sustainability.
According to Chong, apart from that, Abang Johari is also the minister in the chief minister’s department which controls matters involving the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), State and Federal relationship, immigration, project monitoring, corporate affairs, information, integrity, ombudsman, native law and customs.
“Basically he can run the whole state as a one-man show.
“The reason he gave that, saying that this (Cabinet) is not static and it can be changed from time to time is not a justification for such a concentration of power in one person,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chong who is also Padungan assemblyman said it is an absolute ‘no-no’ for for the Chief Minister to also hold the position as Finance Minister.
He questioned that why out of the 74 State Assemblyman elected during the recent State Election, none of them are qualified to hold the Finance Minister post.
“What is Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), People Democratic Action Party (PDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) opinion on such an appointment?
“If Abang Jo truly subscribes to good governance and accountability, he should not hold both the Chief Minister and Finance Minister post,” opined Chong. — DayakDaily
