By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 8: Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen has voiced his and his colleague in Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP), Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong’s refusal to support the Motion of Thanks to the late Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today.
He claimed that while Taib may have contributed to the development of Sarawak, the latter’s administration when he was then chief minister was ‘suspicious’.
“It is not my character and of me to speak ill of the dead.
“The late Tun Pehin Sri may have contributed to the development of the State but there was also a cloud of suspicion over his administration when he was the chief minister.
“As such, I will not participate in the debate except to state my stand and that of my colleague YB Pending, that we will not support this motion,” said Chong.
Meanwhile, Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Abdullah Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman, said Chong’s statement was shocking and uncalled for.
“It is totally contradictory to our Asian values, (being) disrespectful to those who have passed on.
“It was better if he (Chong) were to keep quiet, rather than saying something that can hurt the feelings of the surviving members of the late Tun Pehin Sri.
“‘Kalau tak suka pun, dalam situasi ini, baik diam saja’ (Even if you don’t like it, in this situation, just keep quiet),” she said. — DayakDaily
