By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 8: Responding to Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen’s (PH-DAP) remark about the late Sarawak Governor with “kerana mulut badan binasa” (because of the mouth the body perishes), Sebuyau assemblyman Datuk Julaihi Narawi (GPS-PBB) asserts that the former’s comment fails to reflect the values of “people of the east”.
He said many were shocked when Chong expressed his refusal to support the Motion of Thanks for late Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud tabled by Gedong assemblyman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman and Premier of Sarawak.
Labelling the remark was “un-Sarawakian” and not reflecting the value of Sarawakians, Julaihi who is also Minister of Utility and Telecommunication said such remarks should not come from someone from Sarawak.
“To me, I think it is a ‘horrible’ stance, as expressed by my colleague. But definitely from earlier on, I felt that this stance which was voiced out by the Member of Padungan, whom we addressed as honourable member of this august House was ‘horrible’.
“It is an uncalled-for remark, a horrible remark, from the Member of Padungan. My question is, what does it reflect? Is this the stance of DAP? I dont know, only the Member of Padungan can answer that question.
“That is why, I feel that it is against the culture of the ‘people of the east’, a very un-Sarawakian remark, and should not be from someone who is from the east. It is not consistent with the value of eastern people like us,” said Julaihi.
He asserted that Chong’s remark offended many in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) and many more outside of it.
“The stance of the Member of Padungan is like the saying that goes ‘kerana mulut badan binasa’. Perhaps the saying befits what Chong had said,” said Julaihi when expressing his support for Abang Johari’s motion.
Julaihi said the late Taib who had served as the Sarawak Governor, Chief Minister of Sarawak, lawmaker for Sebandi, Asajaya, Balingian as well as an MP and federal minister, had contributed tremendously to Sarawak.
He said he had served under Taib as the lawmaker for Sebuyau, which was a challenging task as it is a rural and coastal constituency. However, like any other Anak Sarawak, he had appreciated and witnessed the transformation Taib had brought about for Sarawak.
This change happening under Taib’s leadership, he pointed out, was also enjoyed by those who objected to the motion, “or to be precise, even by those who are in the opposition from before until now”.
“We feel the loss because he (Taib) was an Anak Sarawak who had contributed so much towards Sarawak and the people of Sarawak,” said Julaihi.
Earlier, Chong had voiced his and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong’s (PH-DAP) refusal to support the Motion of Thanks to Taib in DUS today. Their refusal had drawn flak from GPS elected representatives.
A total of 28 GPS members debated the motion. There were 16 from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), five from Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), four from Parti Rakyat Sarawak and three from Progressive Democratic Party (PDP). — DayakDaily
