By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Mar 2: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen today reminded the state Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government not to put its political interests above the interests of the rakyat.
He said this following the recent Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) fracas where GPS members and elected representatives denied that district offices (DOs) and other state agencies were not cooperating with federal agencies to register or update recipients and applicants for the government aid.
Last week, Chong claimed that the state government had instructed the DOs and state agencies not to facilitate the registration of BSH.
Members of the state government and GPS elected representatives have been roasting Chong over that remark, denying his accusation.
“I think the state GPS government should reflect on their attitude on the operation of BSH. I (still) think the DOs are not helping (with the BSH).
“I think the state government has to be more cooperative. After all, we are there to service the rakyat,” Chong told reporters after officiating at the new Sungai Maong Petronas Station at Jalan Batu Kawa here today.
He said the state government had been pushing all the registration and updating task to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and other federal agencies.
“It is a simple task to update and register the BSH information of applicants. It’s just accessing the computer and keying in the particulars and that’s it. There’s no reason for state agencies or DOs not to help out in this registration.
“In fact, you and I or anyone, as long as you know the workings of the internet and computers, can help. What more to say the DOs,” Chong said. — DayakDaily
