Tiong lambasts Chong for call to deny Adenan mandate

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Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing

Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing

KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has taken Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen to task for suggesting that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem should rectify all the weaknesses of the state government before the people could give him another five years as chief minister.

Tiong said it was mischievous of Chong to set that condition less than six months before having to call for an election.

“Chong has purposely ignored all the initiatives and changes towards bringing development to the state and benefitting all Sarawakians the chief minister in less than two years but chose to harp on his perceived weakness of the previous administration.

“As the top leader of the state, he also faces challenges for what he has inherited, we must give him a chance to make changes and lead Sarawak forward to a better and brighter future by giving him a big mandate in the coming election.”

The SPDP president also chided Chong’s call for the ruling coalition to be given 55 pct to 60 pct seats in the legislative assembly to prevent them from making decisions without adequate check and balance.

Tiong pointed out Chong’s suggestion smacked of double standard as he never called for the Pakatan government in Penang which is led by DAP and the Selangor government to reduce their seats to 60 pct or lower in the legislative assemblies of the two states.

“The Pakatan government holds 29 seats out of 40 seats, which is 72.5 pct of the total seats in Penang. While the Selangor government holds 43 seats out of 56 seats, 30 now with Pakatan Harapan and 13 from PAS. Why didn’t Chong make a single noise about it?”

On the statement by Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling Sie Kiong that being a good entertainer and having a great sense of humour would not make the chief minister a great leader or help him in his negotiation for the state obtain the 20 pct oil royalty, Tiong said Ling was disrespectful and naive.

“There’s nothing wrong with entertaining the public and being witty, that showed that the CM’ s easygoing personality and his closeness to the people.

“Ling obviously does not see the steel behind the chief minister’s easygoing personality.”

Tiong was confident Adenan would not give up on the fight for more oil royalty, adding that the the negotiation was put on hold due to the drop of crude oil price.

He also challenged Ling to produce proof on his claim that RM 174 billion was illegally siphoned out of Malaysia in 2011 warning that as a lawyer Ling should know the consequences of making false accusations.

Tiong urged the opposition to stop their provocative rhetoric and instead provide constructive ideas to help the state develop towards a harmonious and stable place to live in.