By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 28: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has lambasted Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui for not verifying the facts after she gave wrong figures in relation to strata residential units.
According to Dr Sim who is the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG), Yong during the debate on State Budget 2024 on Nov 22, said Kuching has 33,364 residential units whereas Samarahan has 3,943 units.
“From the information she gathered, she (must not) simply talks.
“From the Department of Land and Survey Sarawak, there are only 28,040 strata residential units in Kuching but 4,544 units in Samarahan.
“I urged (Yong) to not just ‘tembak saja’ without verifing the facts as false information is not justifiable, nor a qualified privilege as an elected representative in this august House,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
In relation to Strata Management Tribunal, he stated that 11 Tribunal members have been appointed on Oct 1, 2022 and will enforce the Strata Management Tribunal Regulations by Jan 1, 2024.
At the same time, Dr Sim refuted Yong’s claim that he did not look after the rights and protect the interest of property managers from Sarawak, as “utterly irresponsible, thoughtless and reckless”.
He explained that the abuse of social passes is under the domain of the Immigration Department of Malaysia Sarawak.
“Any illegal practice by West Malaysian professionals should not have happened. However, unlike the legal profession, there is no restriction for West Malaysian registered property manager, architect, engineer, and others to practice in Sarawak.
“As for the property manager, they are regulated by the Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Act 1981, which sets out the legal framework for the profession and set out the duties and responsibilities of registered property managers.
“If a registered property management company registered with Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers (BOVEAP) wishes to open a branch in Sarawak, the branch must have a resident manager, which must be a registered property manager and based on our Sarawak Immigration requirements shall collaborate with the local people,” he added.
He also pointed out that the government organisation works and operates based on teamwork, ownership, kindness and care, result oriented, professionalism and sense of urgency.
“It is a tall order and simply impossible for an individual to carry out their responsibilities and duties without the assistance and help from his colleagues and peers.
“It is therefore sheer madness and malice for (Yong) for not giving the same accolade to all of Sarawak’s civil servants,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
