Chong Chieng Jen
KUCHING: State DAP is challenging Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to impose a mandatory declaration of properties among his cabinet members following his recent integrity pledge against illegal logging.
Its chairman Chong Chieng Jen said enforcing the proposed policy would go further to prove the chief minister’s determination in fighting corrupt practices.
“Illegal logging is nothing new as it happened long before the current chief minister was sworn in. The recent spate of operations and arrests pertaining to illegal logging reflect internal dispute within the state Barisan Nasional.
“In politics, there are neither foes nor friends and this applies to almost every political scenario from all over the world. And now with two new political parties emerging, a lack of unity begins to form among the state BN component parties,” he said at the DAP dinner themed ‘Democratic Night’ held here recently.
Meanwhile, national DAP organising secretary Loke Siew Fook assured supporters in the state that the party would not alter its stand on hudud law.
He said they must not be frightened of speculations on cracks within Pakatan Rakyat, stressing the DAP would not compromise its principles.
Loke, who is also Seremban MP, said both PAS and PKR were well aware of the policy framework agreed within the alliance – one of which is never to give way to the implementation of hudud law.
“If PAS infringes what was agreed upon in the first place, it means further collaboration is not possible.”
He, however, hoped there would remain room for more co-operation among DAP, PAS and PKR to stand up against the ruling coalition.
He said he also looked forward to seeing the number of DAP assemblymen double, from the current 12 in the coming state election.