By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, Aug 1: The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Wing hits back at Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, telling him to channel his energy into addressing real public concerns rather than tracking every move of PDP President Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
In a press statement issued today, PDP National Youth Wing Secretary Deric Hii criticised Yap’s recent remarks, describing them as an attempt to manufacture political relevance through imaginary controversies and a classic strawman argument.
Hii dismissed claims that Tiong’s recent comments on democratic competition and checks and balances posed any threat to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) unity or Sarawak’s interests.
“We have repeatedly explained that our party president was carrying out his responsibilities in his capacity as a federal minister. Yet certain quarters continue to target him so frequently that one must ask whether this is genuine scrutiny or simply an attempt to manufacture controversy,” read the statement.
Hii noted that Yap had distorted the discussion, treating every differing opinion as a threat to unity and every call for accountability as an attack on the State.
“That is a dangerous interpretation of democracy. Unity does not mean silence, and loyalty does not require everyone to accept only one political answer,” Hii stressed.
Calling on leaders to prioritise pressing everyday concerns, Hii pointed out that ordinary citizens care deeply about issues like airfares, the cost of living, employment, and local development.
Hii concluded that true unity is rooted in confidence, openness, and the accommodation of diverse viewpoints, urging politicians to return to constructive debate and public service.
The statement by the PDP youth was made in response to a press release issued yesterday by Yap.
In that press release, Yap criticised Tiong—who is Bintulu Member of Parliament, PDP president, and a senior Federal Minister, stating his campaign rhetoric in Negeri Sembilan a glaring contradiction that risks undermining GPS’ collective position.
Yap argued that Tiong’s active campaigning for Pakatan Harapan candidates contradicted GPS’ officially neutral stance and risked importing a Peninsular political narrative that could dilute Sarawak’s collective voice and bargaining power.
“If he (Tiong) genuinely believes in the need for checks and balances, he should first explain how he has exercised those checks within the Federal Cabinet to safeguard Sarawak’s constitutional rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” said Yap in his statement yesterday. – DayakDaily
