KUCHING, Sept 7: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen questions the true reason behind Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) supporting the Pas-Umno coalition at the federal level.
In a statement yesterday, the state Democratic Action Party (DAP) leader questioned if Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had put the future of Malaysia and Sarawak in jeopardy because of personal feelings against DAP secretary-general and former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“Yesterday (Sept 5) in Miri, Abang Jo revealed that GPS had decided to join Pas (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) and Umno (United Malays National Organisation) to form the federal government because of Lim Guan Eng’s so-called ‘insult’ that Sarawak may be bankrupt in three years’ time under GPS.
“If that is the true reason for GPS to put Pas and Umno in federal power, we Sarawakians should be very worried with Sarawak being governed by such leaders whom personal feelings reign over national public interest,” he asserted.
Adding on, Chong alleged the return of ‘cash is king’ in state governance as ministerial and deputy ministerial posts were increased on top of the revival of directly negotiated projects and gaming outlets with jackpot machines in Kuching.
In stating this, he pointed out Lim’s ‘insult’ could also be taken as a warning against the extravagance of GPS’ proposed mega projects that could possibly put Sarawak’s financial position in a dire state.
“Though Abang Jo is constantly bragging about the RM31 billion reserves of Sarawak, what he did not highlight is the multi-billion (ringgit) debts owed by the Sarawak government companies which the state had committed to repay with the state fund.
“Abang Jo and his GPS’ mistake for allowing their personal feelings to cloud over sensible thinking thereby putting Umno and Pas in federal power has now threatened the secularism of the country.
“And sooner or later, the religious freedom and racial harmony of Sarawak will be affected with the federal government turning to be more religiously conservative and even extreme,” he added. — DayakDaily
