Sarawak Chinese lose RM125 mln for voting opposition – Soon Koh

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SIBU: The Chinese in Sarawak has given up their community development funds amounting to RM125 million from the state and federal governments for voting the opposition to represent them.

Speaking at the presentation of the Minor Rural Projects (MRP) funds to Chinese organisations at SUPP headquarters here yesterday morning, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said this was the total amount the people had lost in five years for rejecting the BN.

He said the government gave out the annual grants for rural minor projects through the BN representatives, and for those serving in the Chinese urban settlements they were given the same share for their respective community activities.

“Although the amount is minimal, it has helped in the community’s affairs like social, educational, cultural, sport, recreational, missionary and many others.”

Wong, who is also SUPP Sibu branch chairman, said for a state representative elected under the Barisan Nasional, he would be given an annual grant of RM1 million.

He said the amount was previously RM250,000 before it was raised to RM500,000 and to the current RM1 million.

For a BN representative in a parliamentary constituency, the annual grant was RM2 million; previously, it was
RM500,000.

Wong said that SUPP was given 15 state and seven parliamentary seats.

He said the opposition had grabbed 13 state seats and six parliamentary seats, leaving SUPP with only two Chinese representatives – in himself and Datuk Lee Khim Shin.

“Although politics is about managing the people’s affairs and not about money, the annual grants have helped in the development of the Chinese community. This is a great loss.”

Wong said that SUPP could not do anything about this loss now.

He said the newly elected Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen had mentioned about seeking funds for the Chinese community through other channels.

“I hope he keeps his words and does his share in helping the Chinese community.”

In Sibu alone, he said the opposition had grabbed three out of four state seats and the two parliamentary seats, and the only BN Chinese representative in Sibu now was himself.

“This is a loss of RM9 million annually for Sibu, and RM45 million in five years.”

The community development funds aside, Wong said that SUPP through their BN representatives had also sought for other funds through government departments for infrastructure building, building the road to Tanjung Manis, the building of the University College of Technology Sarawak, Laila Taib College and the others.

He said if the people were not represented in the political mainstream, they would not be able to enjoy development.

Wong yesterday gave out RM350,000 to the Chinese community for their activities and community projects.

He will give out more this Saturday for the longhouse communities.