KUCHING, Oct 15: PRS Women described PSB’s eagerness to take over the GPS-led state government as ‘overly ambitious’ and questioned why would people want to support a party with leaders who did not have good and proven track records.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Brodie thus advised Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) leaders, most of whom were past elected representatives and ministers, to reflect on what and how much they have done for Sarawak or at least for their constituencies.
“The president of PSB, (Datuk Seri) Wong Soon Koh for example has been an assemblyman for approximately 30 years and had also been an infrastructure development and transportation minister from 1996 to 2004 and a Second Finance Minister.
“But his contributions to his constituency and the people of Bawang Assan, to say the least, is a far cry as many residents from Bawang Assan are still complaining and claiming that they are still without basic amenities such as water, electricity and road connectivity and likewise for many areas that had been represented by their elected representatives in PSB,” she asserted in a statement today.
Echoing her party president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing’s views that Wong and his party men should look into their own backyard first before thinking of taking over the state government, Doris expressed her belief rural communities would not be easily swayed by such tactics or propaganda.
“So far, PSB leaders do not have a sound track record in bringing about development to their constituencies, what more to say Sarawak, when they were serving in their good office.
“They did not even bring about significant development into their own ‘kawasan’ (constituency or area), so what makes them think that the people would support them to take over the government in the coming election?
“When your own area is languishing, it speaks volumes of yourself. If you cannot take care of your own ‘kawasan’, you can forget about taking over the Sarawak government,” she added.
Doris pointed out that the people are not blind and are no longer naive as they can judge for themselves, more so when they can see and enjoy the developments brought about by the Sarawak government.
She added that Masing is an exemplary leader, who as the Balleh assemblyman for 37 years has helped the constituency to develop and progress significantly, compared to what it was in the 1980s.
“What used to be termed, in those days in the 80s, as ‘tempat jin betendang’ (where the djinns clash) has now become a vibrant place with two completed bridges namely rhe Baleh Bridge costing RM87 million and Ng Mujong Bridge costing RM36 million as well as various roads (for) connectivity being constructed and to be built. Bukit Mambong in Balleh will also see a Stolport (short take-off landing airport) being built in the near future.
“We don’t think we can speak the same and especially not for Bawang Assan constituency where Wong Soon Koh is their elected representative, which is only ‘a stone’s throw’ away from the vibrant Sibu town,” she said.
Doris added that even the construction of the Sg Bidut-Kpg Tutus-Kpg Bedil-Kpg Bungan road within Bawang Assan constituency was approved and realised now when Masing is the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development.
Meanwhile, Masing slammed Wong yesterday (Oct 14), telling him to prove that he can develop his constituency before claiming he could bring development to other rural areas. — DayakDaily
