KUCHING, Aug 11: A political secretary to the Chief Minister Charles Chad Nissom has rebutted allegations made by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) State government is unaware of the change in sentiments among Dayaks in longhouses.
Charles in a statement said the GPS leadership foresees the aspirations of Sarawakians and is adjusting and adapting well to current political sentiments in the State.
“Change evolves and is not new to us and we are adapting to these changes both legislatively and on the ground across the State in all strata of society be it in rural areas, from the elders to the youths,” he said.
Charles was responding to a recent claim by Wong that there was a growing sentiment for change amongst the Dayaks especially in longhouses.
Charles added the GPS State government is building infrastructure projects for the people in rural areas such as bridges, roads, telecommunication towers and utilities.
At the same time, he took a swipe at Wong who is the Bawang Assan assemblyman, claiming the latter had not channeled funds to develop the constituency which he has represented for more than 30 years.
“Sadly the constituency of Bawang Assan is still far behind in many aspects of infrastructure development after more than 30 years represented by Wong.
“He has failed his constituents though he was once the Second Finance Minister in the State,” he added.
On another development, Charles who is also a Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) member opined Wong tried to claim political mileage by exaggerating the attendance of people who were at longhouses during the latter’s visit.
“This is a pandemic time since March 2020 and gatherings are restricted, or else it is simply exaggeration because no party president will absorb the notion (that) there was poor attendance.
“As usual, when the election is near, every party claims their own credit but our GPS records are substantiated and it is not a mere battle cry because we deliver,” he pointed out.
Charles also said the GPS State government has provided various financial assistance through seven packages under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) totalling RM5.3 billion to reduce the financial burden of the people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. — DayakDaily
