KUCHING, Nov 11: Democratic Action Party (DAP) state chairman Chong Chieng Jen calls for transparency from Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on issues related to Sarawak.
According to Chong in a statement today, the Chief Minister, Sarawak government and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) must be transparent and accountable to all Sarawakians, especially on the oil and gas industry upstream contracts which were entered into with Petronas.
He noted that land, forests, oil and gas are Sarawak’s natural resources ,and alleged that in the past, they were exploited for the benefit of close circles of friends and family members of political leaders in Sarawak.
“The common Sarawakian was handed pittance from the exploitation of these resources together with a badly damaged environment.
“We do not want the same thing to happen in the oil and gas sector,” Chong emphasised.
Chong also pointed out that Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong brought the matter up in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting last Wednesday, allegedly implicating the Chief Minister and some of the PETROS board members.
He noted that instead of replying to Yong’s debate in DUN, the Speaker chose to expunge parts of her speech relating to the issue.
“This is the most irresponsible manner of governance, to cover up the facts instead of addressing the issues raised.
Chong also questioned who will ultimately benefit from the Chief Minister’s pushing for more oil and gas upstream contracts.
“He must answer this query and not hide behind the Speaker,” he added. — DayakDaily
