KUCHING, Feb 12: DAP Sarawak is just a chess piece of and agent for DAP Malaya that does not prioritise the interests of Sarawak.
Political secretary to the Chief Minister Soo Li Ching said this in expressing disappointment towards Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen for still being in denial that DAP Sarawak has been sidelined by its comrades from the Central.
She pointed out that former DAP Sarawak deputy chairman David Wong Kee Woan and DAP Socialist Youth Sarawak chief Peter Hee viewed that DAP Sarawak should localise the party without the influence from DAP Central leadership following the party’s worst performance in the last 12th Sarawak Election with only winning two of 26 seats contested.
“Although there are many internal voices within DAP Sarawak for the party to be localised, Chong still insist that DAP Sarawak has the backing of DAP Malaysa (national platform).
“This shows that Chong is still siding the Malayans and rejected the suggestions by its two DAP Sarawak leaders,” she hit back in a statement today.
Soo was responding to Chong’s recent statement that DAP is as much a Sarawak party as any Sarawak-based parties, but with the additional advantage of having strong national backing in that the party maintains autonomy in all matters in Sarawak while able to influence national politics.
“Since day one, DAP Sarawak has always needed DAP Malaya’s support and resources including in election.
“In return, DAP Sarawak obeys and follows the instructions from DAP Malaya. If DAP Sarawak has autonomy, then perhaps Chong should explain to us why none of their six elected MPs being appointed as ministers by DAP Malaya?,” she questioned.
Soo also viewed that Chong is purposely avoiding public’s concern on the insistence that DAP Sarawak is in cahoots with DAP Malaya to suppress Sarawak and further jeopardise Sarawak rights.
“Chong’s fear of Lim Guan Eng (DAP senior leader and secretary-general) and not dare to fight for Sarawakian’s rights and interests is very disappointing to many,” she said.
She pointed out that Chong also kept mum on various issues that concerns Sarawakians the most, including the cancellation of Sarawak’s development projects by former Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognition, return of 20 per cent petroleum loyalty, return of 50 per cent taxes collected as promised and devolution of health and education autonomy.
“All the above are their GE14 (14th General Election) election manifesto promises, but were never being acknowledged and agreed by DAP Malaya, especially Lim Guan Eng, after PH took over Putrajaya.
“DAP Sarawak did not even dare to raise issues over their unfulfilled promisses, nor did Chong ever counter Lim’s baseless claims that Sarawak would go bankrupt. Is this what Chong called their own autonomy?,” she asked.– DayakDaily.
