Big ‘no’ to joining Barisan Nasional, says Sarawak DAP chief

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KUCHING: State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has insisted that his party would never join Barisan Nasional (BN).

The Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman said he deemed such a prospect ‘impossible’.

“The opposition will continue to ‘stir things up’ to ensure that the people in Sarawak deserve what is rightfully theirs,” he told reporters at a press conference held in conjunction with DAP Chinese New Open House 2015 at its Stampin branch here yesterday.

The function was attended by DAP elected representatives comprising assemblypersons Wong King Wei (Padungan), Violet Yong (Pending) and Christina Chiew (Batu Kawah), as well as Stampin MP Julian Tan.

Chong advised all against listening to rumours that DAP would join BN, but he did point out that his party would cooperate with the ruling coalition for the welfare and wellbeing of Sarawakians.

“Being cooperative does not mean ‘joining’ (BN). If it were meant to happen, it would have happened a long time ago,” he stressed.

The state DAP chief said while the BN-led state government had been willing to recognise the role of the Opposition, it must be constructive.

He also demanded that BN look after the welfare of Sarawakians on issues which he claimed had been left ‘hanging’ such as the proposed 20 per cent oil and gas royalty as well as lower electricity tariffs for the state.