KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem should implement some policy reforms before calling for a state election, if he is sincere and resolved to change Sarawak for the better, says state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
The Kota Sentosa assemblyman said so far what Adenan had done was only paying ‘lip service for change’.
“If he (Adenan) is sincere, he should implement some policy reforms before calling for an election, to show to the people that he is resolved to change Sarawak for the better,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP, was responding to Adenan’s hint that the state election could be close after he directed BN assemblymen to deliver all their promises to the people and resolve local issues by end of the year.
He recalled that he had previously listed out a 10-point policy reform that must be taken if Adenan resolved to change Sarawak for the better.
“Of course, not all can be implemented in the short term. But I can propose a few that he can implement in a year before he calls for an election.”
He said among the policy reforms that could be implemented by Adenan within a year were to ensure open tender for all government projects, alienation of state lands for plantation and development and logging licence which should only cover an area of 500 to 1,000 acres per licence.
He also said Adenan should also introduce ‘Freedom of Information Ordinance’, ensure annual fund allocation for Chinese and Mission schools, revive English medium Mission schools through state-private joint funding initiative and appoint an opposition assemblyman to be the chairman of state Public Accounts Committee. Chong confirmed that the four parcels of land of 263.6 acres opposite Batu Kawah New Township (MJC), which he had proposed to the government to be developed into an affordable residential estate of flats for the poor still belonged to the state government.
“I have conducted land search and obtained the original documents signed by the assistant registrar of Land and Survey Department, certifying that the four parcels of land belong to the state government as of July 30.”
Therefore, he said the state government had the power to develop the land in accordance to DAP’s plan that would provide 3,120 units of affordable flats for the poor, adding that the party’s plan was proposed after the party engaged the relevant planners and architects to draw the plan.
Besides building affordable flats for the poor, he said the plan also proposed for two primary schools – one each for English medium Mission school and Chinese school and 20 acres of land that could be utilised by Chinese middle school board to generate income to run their schools.
The plan also included proposal for a sport complex containing an Olympic-size swimming pool, basketball courts, badminton court, football field and jogging track to be built in the area.
Chong said even though Adenan had not responded to his proposal which was sent through a letter on July 31, he would continue to push for it, adding that he would give the chief minister one or two months to get back to him on the matter.