KUCHING, Dec 1: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is offering private tuition to Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders who he claims lack knowledge in the state’s financial management.
Tiong’s offer for the free tuition follows Democratic Action Party (DAP) Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon’s recent remarks on reports of the state goverment borrowing RM13 billion from the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBoS) to fund major infrastructure projects in the state.
Tiong urged Dr Ting not to interfere and politicise Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s decision and to leave Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to manage the financial and infrastructure development in Sarawak.
“Dr Ting’s remarks about the loan to fund the Sarawak Coastal Road and other major infrastructure projects to catalyse the economic growth centres of Sarawak reflect his lack of understanding about the financing aspects of such a crucial facility,” according to Tiong in a statement.
“He (Dr Ting) should possess sufficient evidence before accusing the state government of mismanagement and comparing it to the 1MDB matter. His press statement was set up to gain political mileage ahead of the state elections.”
Tiong who is also Bintulu Member of Parliament revealed he was quite disappointed that DAP is still not seeing things from the side of Sarawakians, instead taking every opportunity to question and politicise the opportunities and facilities that Sarawak must employ to improve and grow the state economy.
He opined that the loan from DBoS is a measure to ensure that Sarawak will be able to grow unimpeded.
Tiong revealed the reason the chief minister resorted to taking the loan from DBoS is because the state government does not know how much cooperation and assistance it can expect from the federal government for the state’s continued development.
“Can Dr Ting assure Sarawak that the federal government can return what it has taken from Sarawak to assist our development?” he asked.
Tiong instead advised Dr Ting to listen to Sarawakians’ complaints against the PH government, claiming PH lacks understanding and experience in managing the country and has much less transparency, aside from relying on heaping blame on the previous government.
He challenged Dr Ting if he really could say that the PH government is a beacon of transparency in its plans and financial decision-making.
Recently, it was reported that Dr Tiong called for transparency from the Sarawak government concerning the RM13 billion loan from DBoS, questioning whether the funds are from the state reserves. — DayakDaily
