Lift ban on community leaders attending federal events, Sarawak govt told

Dr Ting showing reporters the circular.

By Brad Rantayy

MIRI, June 18: Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon today slammed the Sarawak government for instructing community leaders to attend only state events.

Describing the move as “abusive”, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) lawmaker wants Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to withdraw the instruction immediately.

“Such an act is undemocratic. It seems to me that the Sarawak government, under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), is trying to create ‘divisions’ or ‘fragments’ among the community leaders.

“GPS should stop the argument (on the ban) and focus on the rakyat. The people want development, not things like this,” he told a press conference here today.

Dr Ting was commenting on a Sarawak government circular that came into effect on May 15. It specified that community leaders should not attend any event or function that is not organised by the state government.

The document that Dr Ting showed the reporters was a circular dated June 17, 2019, and apparently signed by Lundu district officer Gustian Duran. It was addressed to all community leaders in Lundu and Sematan. — DayakDaily