By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 18: Since Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has 23 MPs in the Federal government, Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen is wondering why Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang decided to challenge him in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday to seek federal funds for Sarawak.
Listing out the 23 MPs which comprise 11 ministers and deputy ministers, Chong said Lo could have easily contacted any of his GPS colleagues to request allocations.
“Is YB Lo Khere Chiang implying that all his GPS colleagues in Parliament are ineffective that he has to spend a major part of his DUN speech imploring upon me to seek more allocation for Sarawak?” Chong questioned.
While he does not intend to shirk his responsibility to fight for more rights and funds for Sarawak, Chong said that Lo’s open appeal earlier was disrespectful of his GPS colleagues.
“Take for example, the 15th Mile roundabout that he mentioned is not even in Stampin constituency. It is within the purview of the Ministry of Works helmed by Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi who is also the secretary-general of GPS.
“Couldn’t Lo appeal directly to Nanta instead of going the ‘roundabout’ way of appealing to me in DUN and asking me to convey it to Nanta?” said Chong in a press conference on the sidelines of the DUN sitting here today.
When debating the Sarawak Governor’s speech yesterday, Lo dished out at least eight challenges to Chong, who is also Stampin MP.
Among the challenges was concerning the 15th Mile roundabout which Lo said needs to be replaced with an elevated U-turn due to a number of accidents occurring under present conditions.
Together with Chong at the press conference was Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong. — DayakDaily
