By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 11: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has refuted claims that he is unwilling to assist members of the public, following criticism over remarks he made in a recent video that went viral on social media.
In a press statement issued today, Yap said his comments had been deliberately taken out of context, particularly by Democratic Action Party (DAP) member Michael Kong, who accused him of being dismissive toward constituents seeking help.
Yap explained that his statement was intended to encourage the public to first raise their issues through proper government channels—such as Talikhidmat or the relevant agencies—to ensure that problems are resolved more efficiently at the source.
“My message in the video was clear: the public should first raise issues directly with the relevant authorities or through platforms like Talikhidmat to ensure timely resolution,” he said.
However, Yap stressed that if those avenues proved ineffective, his constituents were always welcome to approach him for further assistance.
“I explicitly urged constituents of Kota Sentosa to approach me if complaints to government authorities or through official channels do not work. I can then escalate the matter to higher levels for rectification,” he clarified.
Yap criticised what he called “irresponsible remarks” from Kong and his supporters, accusing them of deliberately overlooking his emphasis on accountability and reform within government systems.
He added that his approach aims to empower the public while also holding authorities accountable as part of efforts to improve public service delivery.
“Effective representation requires not only addressing individual grievances but also fixing inefficient and broken bureaucratic systems through systemic reforms.
“Dismissing this distinction risks reducing elected representatives to perpetual middlemen for complaints rather than reformers of inefficient government processes,” he said.
Yap urged the public to view the full context of the video, which he said underlined his commitment to both his constituents and good governance.
Yesterday (April 10), Kong, who is special assistant to DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, took to social media to criticise Yap’s message, calling it “unbecoming of an elected representative.”
He said many members of the public only turn to their elected representatives after exhausting all other options, and accused Yap of displaying a “detached and arrogant” attitude.
“People come to their YBs because they have tried and failed through the official channels. Telling them not to bother unless absolutely necessary only erodes public trust,” Kong said.
He added that DAP representatives, including those in Kota Sentosa, remain committed to being approachable and people-oriented. — DayakDaily
