By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 18: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has called on Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen to personally respond to political issues raised against Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) instead of relying on his special assistant Michael Kong Feng Nian as his spokesperson.
In a statement today, Yap expressed disappointment that Chong, who is both an elected Member of Parliament and State assemblyman, continues to “hide behind his assistant” instead of addressing matters directly.
“If YB Chong genuinely stands by the allegations made, he should be forthright enough to address me as State assemblyman for Kota Sentosa and the people of Sarawak directly, rather than hiding behind his assistant.
“Sarawakians deserve answers from elected leaders, not second-hand statements channelled through proxies,” he said.
Yap further said that criticisms delivered by assistants would not distract him from “speaking the truth based on facts”.
On the issue of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations, Yap asserted that it was wrong of Chong, through his assistant Michael Kong, to demand answers from the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as MACC is a federal agency established under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
“The Sarawak Premier has no legal authority over MACC investigations and is not the federal minister responsible for the Commission.
“The proper authority to address such questions is the MACC Chief Commissioner and the federal government—where Pakatan Harapan, Chong’s own coalition, currently holds power,” he explained.
Yap further argued that unlike DAP’s “empty rhetoric”, GPS has taken concrete steps to strengthen governance, pointing to Sarawak being the first State to pass the Ombudsman Ordinance which establishes an independent body to investigate complaints against State agencies and government-linked companies.
He then posed “seven questions” for Chong to answer, including DAP’s silence on federal allocations to Sarawak when in government, the failure to defend Sarawak’s rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the unfulfilled pledge of 20 per cent oil royalties, subsidy leakages, political appointments in federal GLCs, the party’s silence while in government compared to vocal criticism in opposition, and Chong’s own tangible contributions to Sarawak after decades in politics.
“Sarawak deserves political discourse based on facts, not theatre. Personal attacks by assistants cannot distract from the truth: accountability must come from elected leaders themselves,” Yap stressed.
He said if Chong has real evidence, he should bring it through the proper legal channels and answer for himself.
“If not, then he should stop using Michael Kong to launch attacks on others.
“The GPS government, under Premier, will remain focused on strengthening institutions, defending Sarawak’s rights, and delivering progress for the people. Our State deserves leaders who speak directly and truthfully—not proxies delivering misplaced accusations,” Yap emphasised. — DayakDaily
