Richard Wong Ho Leng
SIBU: The Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) is normally held in July, meaning there is ample time to host it this year, said Sibu MP and Bukit Assek assemblyman Richard Wong Ho Leng.
He told a press conference yesterday it was mere excuse when BCF organisers said they were short of time to host one this year. He was reacting to the recent statements by Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg that the event had to be scrapped this year due to time constraint.
The two ministers were reported to have said that the recent state election had taken up their time that would otherwise be used to prepare for the BCF.
Wong, state DAP chairman said what the two ministers stated had clearly contradicted an earlier statement by Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King. Tiong had cited a political reason for scrapping the cultural event.
At the council’s April monthly meeting, Tiong said the majority of the Sibu electorate had sent out a strong signal that the work of the Sibu BN visionary team was not appreciated.
“It is therefore with deep regret as well as with a sense of dejection that we are forced to respond to this latest political climate. Against this background, I wish to inform that we would not proceed with BCF,” earlier press reports quoted Tiong as telling the council meeting.
Wong said from Tiong’s statement, it was obvious that the scrapping of the BCF was due to political reason and the people’s rejection of the BN visionary team and not due to time constraint.
“BCF is to be organised by civil servants, not the ministers or the rejected ministers.
“The civil servants in Sarawak are said to be the best in Malaysia and there are capable civil service units such as the Sarawak Tourism Board that can organise the event,” said Wong.
He added: “We do not need the elected or the dejected ministers to organise the event. We have the civil servants who can definitely do the job.”
DAP is willing to organise this year’s BCF if the council is not ready.
Wong said: “Just give us the venue and the mandate to do so. We do not need your money and we assure you we will do a better job.”
Giving premium to the BCF as one rare event that could promote Sibu, the DAP leader said Sibu would be drifting further behind other towns without the BCF.
He also claimed of having strong backing if his party was to coordinate the BCF this year.
He said: “More than 50 groups and associations in the country have already contacted me to pledge their support.”