Meradong rep says DAP has “no principle” for considering forming govt with Zahid despite criticising latter during GE15

Ding debating on Supply (2023) Bill, 2022 at DUN today (Nov 23, 2022). Screenshot taken from a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) Facebook Live video.

By Lian Cheng

KUCHING, Nov 23: Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing called out Democratic Action Party (DAP) as a “political party with low or no morality” for using the phrase “GPS Menang, Zahid Senang” as political propaganda during the just concluded 15th General Election (GE15).

He said “GPS Menang, Zahid Senang” (GPS wins, Zahid happy), which could be seen on election campaign banners everywhere during GE but as it turned out, United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president (Dato Seri Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi is “senang” (having a good time) because Pakatan Harapan (PH) of which DAP is part of, was in talks with Zahid to form the new federal government at one stage.

“Of course the scenario has changed and we need to wait and see who is going to be the government. This just goes to show how low can DAP stoop just to continue their dream of becoming the government of the day.

“Many a time, they heavily criticised and tarnished their political enemies but end up embracing and ‘purify’ (sic) themselves just so that they can achieve their goal. That is why there is a joke going around saying ‘the principle of DAP is no principle at all’,” said Ding when debating the Supply (2023) Bill, 2022 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

Apart from the political dig at the opposition, Ding proposed for a haemodialysis centre to be built in Sungai Tulai, Bintagor.

“In view of the long waiting list for kidney patients to undergo haemodialysis in Sarikei Division, Persatuan Mesyarakat Sg Tulai in collaboration with Kidney Foundation Malaysia have come up with the idea of setting up a haemodialysis centre in Sg Tulai, Bintangor to alleviate the critical situation that Sarikei Hospital just cannot cope (with demand).”

He said the proposed land and necessary sub-division application has been approved by the relevant authority and the running of the said haemodialysis centre will be self-sustaining once it is completed.

“Since it is a high impact project that will benefit many people in and around Meradong, I humbly appeal to YAB Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) to consider allocating a ‘Projek Rakyat’ (allocation) amounting to RM5.5 million so that the said project can be implemented as soon as possible,” said Ding.

He also took the opportunity to urge Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to expedite and monitor closely the Package CR1 (Central Region) project under the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme for the relevant area in Meradong and try to connect the water supply to the Sg Lemaong area earliest possible.

The delay in the contractor taking possession of the above project site due to construction of the Pan Borneo highway has resulted in a substantial delay in completion of the project.

The people of Meradong, Ding said, have been anxiously waiting for the project to be completed so that they can enjoy clean water supply with better water pressure, especially the residents of Sg Lemayong longhouses who currently did not get treated water supply at all.

He also urged the relevant agency to monitor the upgrading and extension of the Bayong treatment plant project in Sarikei.

Meanwhile, Ding also made the case for the construction of 55 Rumah Spectra Permata units at Kampung Malaysia, a multiracial resettlement echeme near Jambatan Merah Meradong.

“Up till now, there are no low or medium cost housing in DUN Meradong and I would like to appeal to YAB (Abang Johari) to approve a ‘Project Rakyat’ for the construction of the said housing scheme.

“If this project can take off, it will benefit people of various races in Meradong,” said Ding. — DayakDaily