By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 26: “I wish him all the best. Let the best man win.”
That was Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing’s reply when reporters asked him to comment on state Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s claim yesterday that the DAP had formulated a strategy to topple Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the next state election, which is due in 2021.
“I wish him all the best. Let the best man win. If they (DAP) have a strategy, let it be. That is their strategy,” Masing said after presenting minor rural project (MRP) grants to a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in his office here today.
Chong said one of the reasons the DAP was confident of toppling GPS was because the state government lacked good governance and transparency.
Masing said he believed voters knew better who is the best administrator for the state.
“We cannot stop him (Chong) from creating all types of strategies. That is his business,” Masing pointed out.
On Chong’s claim that ‘Ketua Kaum’ (community leaders) were told to return federal grants, Masing said he was not aware of it, but reckoned it was in the wrong spirit to do such a thing.
“Kenapa mahu reject dia, kenapa? Bukan dia ada banyak duit. (Why reject the offer? Not that they have plenty of money”, said Masing, apparently implying that the community leaders should just take the money.
“Certainly, any grant given by the government of the day, we should receive it, regardless if it is from PH (Pakatan Harapan) or GPS. You asked for it, and the government gives it to you, so ‘ambik’ (take). That should be the spirit,” he opined.
Masing admitted that Chong’s claim was indeed “news” to him.
“Now that I am aware of it, I am very surprised if the state government ever did or discuss on the matter to ask community leaders to reject federal funds.
“Apa dia mauh reject orang kasih … rezeki itu (Why reject when the PH government gives … it is good fortune),” Masing said. — DayakDaily
