By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 13: Dudong assemblyman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has demanded that Sarawak Deputy Premier and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian publicly explain an “unusual and unprecedented” situation in which the same community in Sibu is being served by two Penghulu (community chiefs) at the same time.
Tiong said the arrangement had shocked the public and raised concerns about possible political interference by SUPP, questioning whether community leadership posts were being treated as political assets to be given out at will.
According to him, the former Penghulu, who is from SUPP, had completed his term and, following proper procedure, a formal council meeting decided not to extend his service.
Instead, a new candidate, also from SUPP, who had served as Kapitan and had the backing of the people, was nominated and appointed to serve the Sungai Assam, Pulau Kerto and Pulau Keladi areas under Sibu’s jurisdiction.
Tiong, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, stressed that the appointment process was conducted fairly, with SUPP representatives present and agreeing to the decision.
“Even though the change did not affect the quota allocation, the choice of community leaders must still be based on public opinion, not just quota numbers,” he said in a statement shared on his social media on Tuesday (Aug 12).
However, Tiong said the situation took a sudden turn when the former Penghulu’s term was later extended despite the appointment of the new community leader, creating a rare and confusing scenario of two Penghulu in the same community.
“This not only breaks the existing system but also weakens public confidence in fair governance,” he said, questioning why public opinion was ignored and why the Sarawak Secretary allegedly made the decision after listening to only one side.
Tiong also questioned why no discussion was held with the relevant parties and why he, as the area’s assemblyman, was not consulted.
He called the move “neither reasonable nor transparent”, and urged Dr Sim to explain whether the matter reflected a centralisation of power that could bypass democratic procedures to protect a party’s quota.
“If power is so concentrated that discussion can be skipped and one person can decide everything, this is not only a step backwards in governance but could also be seen as openly sidelining the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP),” he said, warning that such political manoeuvres could destroy trust and cooperation within Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Tiong emphasised that community leadership positions belong to the people, not to political parties, and must be filled through processes guided by public opinion.
He warned that parties which “cross boundaries, manipulate appointments, and create division” risk losing public trust and electoral support.
“Political cooperation must be built on respect, integrity, and transparency. If a party cannot uphold GPS’s spirit of unity, then let the people decide at the ballot box.
“History has proven again and again: public opinion cannot be ignored, fairness cannot be abandoned, and power grabs will always be rejected by the people,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
