KUCHING, Apr 29: Three Facebook postings made by Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen and his special assistant Michael Kong Feng Nian with regards to food aid allocation during the movement order control (MCO) were incorrect, false and done in bad faith, says SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Calling it an irresponsible act, Dr Sim alleged that Chong and Kong’s statements were made with bad intentions to damage his reputation and character.
“Chong posted in his Facebook on April 15 and 18, pertaining to Food Aid Allocation during the MCO, stating that I have abused my power to control Food Aid Funds during the present Covid-19 pandemic. Kong made similar untrue statements on April 18 in his Facebook, to damage my reputation.
“The statements made by Chong and Kong against me, SUPP and GPS were false and done in bad faith, which misrepresent the truth to Sarawakians,” Dr Sim said in a statement today.
Citing the chronology, Dr Sim pointed out that on Apr 3, an official letter issued by the Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah stated that the Sarawak government had replaced the prior instructions given in an initial letter dated Apr 2.
“The Sarawak government has made it very clear that all allocation of funds will be channelled to divisional or district disaster management committee (DDMC) and are not being channelled to the respective state assemblyman or member of parliament’s service centres,” he asserted.
Dr Sim added that on Apr 6, Fatimah had issued a press statement which clarified the above, namely, that all funding by the Sarawak government would be channelled and managed by the DDMC comprising of Residents, District Officers, Sarawak Welfare Department and other related government agencies, the state assemblyman or member of parliament’s service centres and the relevant NGOs.
On Apr 12, Nangka state assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, had also explained in his press statement that the Sarawak government had retracted its earlier decision and had decided to channel the funds relating to the Covid-19 pandemic to the respective DDMCs instead.
“I wish to state that during this difficult time Chong and Kong should not resort to such politicking. The needs of the people of Sarawak are far more important and we should work for the people. Their statements are untrue and should not have been made and they should admit that they
were wrong.
“As politicians and lawyers, Chong and Kong should not advance their personal cause during this Covid-19 pandemic. It is simply disappointing and
disheartening to see such conduct on their part,” Dr Sim added.
He also urged Sarawakians to continue to stay strong during this trying time and not to be swayed by such politicking.—DayakDaily
