KUCHING, Aug 2: Special assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen Julian Tan claims that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has refused local government’s election to stay in power.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is more concerned about GPS political survival then the interest of Sarawakians by not supporting federal government’s plan to proceed with the local government elections in 2021.
“By not allowing local government election just like the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government did which GPS was once part of, GPS is silencing the voice of Sarawakians and depriving us the Sarawakian rights for check and balance and rights to appoint those whom we deem fit to run the cities,” said Tan in a press statement today.
The former Stampin MP said the restoring of local government election will allow Sarawakians to vote for members of local governments which consist of mayors and councillors.
Currently all the mayors and councillors are appointed by the GPS government.
Meanwhile, he also expressed shock to Abang Johari’s statement saying that if Pakatan Harapan wanted war, Sarawak would give them one during the swearing-in of the more than 700 newly appointed councillors recently.
“This is clearly going against the code of conduct and standards a councillor required to adhere to. They are supposed to be apolitical and not to be used as a political tool to go against the Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“There is more pressing issue to work on as local councillors than merely a political tool for GPS to ensure their political survival in coming state election,” said Tan.
He said the new PH government has been serious in combating corruption and installing a clean, more transparent and accountable local government.
“Restoration of local council election will ensure competency, transparency and accountability which are clearly in the best interest of the people in each constituency. Sarawakians will be able to choose for themselves by placing their vote for the people they think best served them,” said Tan.— DayakDaily
