By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 24: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has called on Sarawakians to not give more political space to the Democratic Action Party (DAP), arguing that the party’s call for ‘greater check and balance’ should not automatically translate into more seats for the Malayan-based party.
He said this in a statement, responding to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s appeal to voters to not leave himself and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong—who is also from DAP—as the sole representatives for their party in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS)
“DAP talks about ‘check and balance’ as though more DAP representatives automatically mean better governance. That is simply not true.
“A strong State assembly does not depend on having more members from a Malayan party. It depends on elected representatives who genuinely put Sarawak first,” he said.
He emphasised that constructive criticism and debates are welcome, but when it comes to defending Sarawak’s rights, resources, and constitutional position, loyalty must be to Sarawak—not to any political agenda originating outside Sarawak.
Yap further added that DAP cannot claim to be the defender of Sarawak while simultaneously representing a party whose political roots and organisational command structure are outside Sarawak.
“DAP may operate in Sarawak, but it remains fundamentally a Malayan political party with a national party structure and leadership based in Peninsular Malaysia. That is precisely why Sarawakians must ask themselves whether such a party should be given greater influence over the direction of Sarawak.
“Sarawak needs Sarawak-based political leadership—not instructions from political headquarters in Malaya,” he said.
Yap highlighted that under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the State has shown that he could chart its own development path, strengthen its financial position, protect its interests, and pursue greater autonomy.
“The coming election should therefore not be reduced to a question of how many opposition seats DAP can win. It should be a choice about who Sarawakians trust to determine Sarawak’s future,” he said. — DayakDaily
