By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 27: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth secretary Milton Foo has advised Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen to hold himself to a higher standard when it comes to professional work ethics.
“Tell us the facts. Don’t twist it to mislead the people into believing that the state government is using taxpayers’ money to build a free hospital for Malayans (Peninsular Malaysia) when this is not the case,” he said, slamming Chong for questioning the Sarawak government’s investment in a children’s specialist hospital project in Kuala Lumpur.
Chong had also called on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to explain the rationale for that investment in Cheras. Chong revealed that he was informed by the Ministry of Finance that the hospital project involved an investment of RM606 million through a joint venture between the State Financial Secretary of Sarawak and Zecon Medicare Sdn Bhd.
Speaking at a press conference here today, Foo said it was an investment by the state government, like many other projects in various industries, that would bring profitable returns to Sarawak, and is a stark difference from giving money to fund a project for free.
“As a federal deputy minister (of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs), your (Chong) standard is only there? You can’t even differentiate between putting money in an investment for a profitable return and giving money free to fund the development of a children’s specialist hospital.
“Please don’t play politics anymore. People chose you to be the MP and deputy minister, to be the government-of-the-day. You are not there to play politics and mislead the people by throwing wild accusations without any solid basis,” he said.
Moreover, he reminded Chong, the Sarawak government had the autonomy to invest in any area that would bring profit to the state. — DayakDaily
