By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 4: Michael Kong Feng Nian of the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) has expressed disheartenment that his plea for the inclusion of opposition assemblypersons in the Sarawak Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been ‘disregarded’.
In a press statement today, Kong, who is special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said during Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) tenure as the federal government following the 14th General Election (GE14) in 2018, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was represented at the federal-level PAC by Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat despite not being part of the ruling coalition at that time.
“This illustrates a longstanding tradition of providing opportunities for opposition participation in nation-building endeavours,” he said in his press statement.
He added that the opposition had played a role in the Sarawak PAC when fellow party member Chiew Chiu Sing was part of the committee.
“The past findings by the Sarawak PAC regarding weaknesses in the management and implementation of State government projects underscore the pressing need for accountability and transparency in public spending.
“These findings emphasise the necessity of incorporating diverse voices and perspectives to ensure thorough oversight and prevent mismanagement,” he said.
Therefore, he urged the Sarawak government to adopt a more open and bipartisan approach by including opposition members in various committees not just in the name of fairness but also to improve governance quality.
“Opposition members can offer valuable checks and balances, contribute to more comprehensive deliberations, and ensure that the State government remains accountable to all citizens.
“By facilitating opposition participation in these committees, we can collectively strive towards a more transparent, accountable, and democratic Sarawak,” he said.
In March this year, Kong called for the inclusion of opposition members in the Sarawak PAC to enhance transparency and accountability in public expenditure. — DayakDaily
