By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 3: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin said no political party has the authority to act as judge and jury over alleged 1MDB-linked funds, responding to criticism from the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) over its claims involving the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP).
In a press statement today, Yap stressed that accountability must be pursued through the rule of law, due process, and independent institutions, rather than political pressure, public shaming or a “trial by public opinion.”
“Respect for the law is not a moral weakness; it is a moral obligation in any democratic society. No political party, including DAP, has the authority to appoint itself as judge, jury and executioner.
“The analogy used by DAP Stampin comparing this matter to an individual knowingly retaining stolen money is misleading. A political party is a legal entity governed by statutory and judicial processes. Decisions involving such entities must be grounded in law, not populist comparisons designed to inflame sentiment,” he said.
Yap further said defending due process does not mean defending wrongdoing, but ensures that justice is carried out properly, independently and lawfully.
Turning to governance and reform, Yap said that if DAP wished to speak about integrity and accountability, it should account for its own record while in government.
He noted that when Pakatan Harapan, of which DAP is a major component, formed the federal government in 2018 and again in 2022, it made explicit reform commitments, including the separation of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor roles, institutional independence for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), political financing laws, mandatory asset declarations, Freedom of Information legislation, recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and stronger constitutional checks and balances.
“To date, many of these core reforms remain unimplemented despite DAP holding key Cabinet positions and possessing the authority to legislate.
“If DAP Stampin wishes to speak about morality, integrity and accountability, it should begin by accounting for DAP’s own promises and performance in government,” he pointed out.
The current dispute stems from remarks by DAP Sarawak figures urging SUPP to return a RM1 million donation the party received in 2013 from then Barisan Nasional chairman and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
DAP has suggested the contribution could be linked to funds misappropriated from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth scandal — a high-profile global corruption case in which billions were allegedly siphoned from state investment funds.
SUPP has denied any connection between the donation and 1MDB, saying the funds were received before any court findings related to the scandal and that the matter had already been investigated and resolved through the courts. An application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to forfeit a separate RM188,132.26 in its accounts was also dismissed by the High Court after the agency failed to prove the link to 1MDB.
Despite this, DAP Sarawak members continued to pressurise SUPP to return the money, claiming that the party bears a moral and social responsibility to the people of Malaysia to refund all monies it received from Najib Razak.
On Dec 31, 2025, Yap also criticised DAP Sarawak leaders for what he described as a misleading narrative linking SUPP to the 1MDB case through political insinuation rather than facts or court findings. – DayakDaily
