By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 31: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has accused Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Deputy Premier, of persistently overstepping boundaries, warning that such actions risk fuelling political divisions and eroding established institutional processes.
Tiong said despite his recent statement voicing out his objection against Dr Sim giving away appointment letters to community leaders and longhouse chiefs in appointment ceremony, another one would soon be held in Sibu.
To Tiong, who is federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, such move is no longer a coincidence but an obvious and deliberate provocation.
“Let me ask plainly—after we have already made our stance clear on the local leaders’ appointment, Dr Sim’s camp has pushed ahead with their agenda anyway. How does this not amount to an open invitation to conflict?
“I once again urge SUPP to state its position clearly—have you decided to sideline your so-called ally, or even force us out? If that is the case, then say it openly. If we are not welcome here, there are other places but we will not accept having our redlines tested and trampled on repeatedly,” said Tiong in a statement.
Baffled by SUPP persistence, PDP checked with the district office and the resident office, to be informed that they are merely acting on instructions from the State Secretary.
“I must say this plainly: whether it is the State Secretary or Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian himself, they should know where the political line is and when to stop.
“Allowing such a provocative decision to continue will only worsen the situation into deeper confrontation. In the end, no one will be spared. Those who play with fire will get burned,” said Tiong.
Tiong also questioned the reasons why longhouse heads were threatened to appear in the next appointment ceremony, scheduled on Feb 2.
“Is this not an abuse of power? Why use authority to apply pressure and dress up political manoeuvres as ‘administrative decisions’?
“Do these people not realise that such actions will only push the longhouse communities towards resentment and reject GPS? Is this really the outcome you want?” Tiong asked.
Tiong held that some longhouse heads may appear under pressure, it will only be physical presence, not genuine acceptance. To him, attendance gained through intimidation will never earn real support.
He said in fact, PDP had agreed to hold an appointment ceremony on Feb 8, and questioned why SUPP’s intention of organising one on Feb 2.
“If all these moves are simply about overstepping authority and flaunting personal power, then I must say clearly: this will only deepen political divisions, damage institutional processes, and ultimately hurt the grassroots.
“I offer this serious warning: stop playing with fire. Politics is not a game, and institutions are not tools to be tested at will. If you insist on pushing ahead, I will not back down,” said Tiong. —DayakDaily
