By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 11: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kuching Youth chief Nicholas Wung has criticised Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen of issuing a “blank cheque” with no clear plan in his proposal for Sarawak to acquire a 30 per cent stake in Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).
Wung was responding to Chong’s recent suggestion in Parliament that PETRONAS should cede 30 per cent of its shares to Sarawak.
He argued that Chong, who is also the Stampin MP, did not outline any concrete plan on how this could be achieved, misleading Sarawakians with vague promises instead of concrete solutions.
“SUPP Youth has challenged Chong to take the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 to court or rally his 39 fellow DAP MPs to pressure Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to repeal the Act (if they deemed it unfair). But, Chong has not responded,” he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, DAP Sarawak declared its readiness to work with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and SUPP in fighting for Sarawak’s oil and gas rights, with condition that they back the proposal for Sarawak representatives to hold at least 30 per cent stake in PETRONAS, including board positions.
Wung also dismissed Chong’s call for a stronger opposition in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS), calling it a tired political rhetoric.
He pointed to the results of the 2021 Sarawak election, where DAP retained only two seats while local opposition parties gained traction, proving that the role of opposition was no longer exclusive to DAP.
“Even without DAP, Sarawak’s democracy will inevitably see other local opposition parties filling the gap.
“In 14th General Election (GE14), DAP won six parliamentary seats in Sarawak, and PKR won four, yet they failed to deliver any real benefits to the people,” he said.
He recalled that when Chong was appointed Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs under former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he failed to fulfill his election promises.
Wung also took aim at former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, highlighting that he had cancelled three approved bridge projects and slashed allocations meant for Sarawak, yet Chong did not voice any objections.
He further criticised Chong’s silence when Sarawak received less federal development funding than Sabah in Budget 2021.
“Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg continuously pursued funds for repairing dilapidated schools for the safety of 436,000 teachers and students, but Lim said the federal government had insufficient fund and yet Chong did not dare to speak up.
“These proved that DAP in Sarawak is merely an agent of its headquarters in Peninsula. They don’t have the courage to challenge decisions that disadvantage Sarawak,” he added.
Wung also condemned DAP Sarawak’s recent efforts to distribute Rocket newspapers, claiming they were meant to spread fear over Sarawak’s financial situation, insinuating that the State was on the brink of bankruptcy.
Wung reminded DAP Sarawak of the public apology issued by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Lim to Abang Johari on Nov 24, 2022: “I apologise for offending the Sarawak Chief Minister and the GPS government. The future of the country is more important. Let us make a fresh start to cooperate to preserve the diversity, inclusiveness, and unity of our multiracial and multicultural society as well as protect our Federal Constitution for the benefit of all in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.”
“The last sentence by Lim’s apology is something Chong should deeply reflect upon. If DAP claims to protect the interests of Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia under the Federal Constitution, does that include the PDA 1974? When there is a direct conflict of interest between East and West Malaysia, it is unrealistic to expect West Malaysian parties to truly champion Sarawak’s rights,” Wung asserted. — DayakDaily
