DAP’s Chan taken to task over ‘contradictory statements’

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Ho

KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy secretary-general Datuk Ho Jia Lit yesterday slammed Sabah Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary Chan Foong Hin for questioning the State Government’s sincerity in developing Sepanggar Port and deriding efforts to get Sabah on board with the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative.

“On the one hand, Chan is cynical about the State Government’s sincere effort in seeking strategic partnership between Sepanggar Port and China ports; on the other hand, he is complaining about Sabah’s lack of participation in OBOR. What does he really want?”

Ho said the suggestion by the Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang to the former Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Chen Peijie on establishing strategic partnership between Sepanggar Port and Chinese ports was one of the efforts to engage Sabah in the OBOR framework.

“Now Chan is questioning as to why Sepanggar Port is not included in the Malaysia-China Ports Alliance.

“He is making all sorts of contradictory statements. Chan is telling Teo to advance Sabah’s participation in the OBOR initiative yet remains cynical of the minister’s suggestion to establish strategic partnership with Chinese ports.

“Since Chan disagrees with the efforts carried out by Teo and the government to engage Sabah in the OBOR initiative, can he provide examples on how he would have done to achieve that objective?”

Ho pointed out that Chan’s initial statement was about Sepanggar Port being left out from the Malaysia-China Ports Alliance.

“When Chan learned about the plan to include Sepanggar Port in the alliance, he panicked and brought up the OBOR initiative as a tactic to divert attention. Is diversion his only tactic for political survival?”

Ho said the OBOR initiative involved consultations and negotiations among representatives of countries on an equal-footing basis. For example, consultations at the central government-to-central government, local government-to-local government levels, or between community groups and entrepreneurs of both countries.

“Sabah will not be left out from the OBOR initiative. Our State is able to contribute and benefit from OBOR.”

He pointed out that every state in Malaysia has its own approach to participating in OBOR initiative depending on the resources and geographical location of the states.

“In Sabah, we have tourism resources that attract large number of Chinese tourists.

“This is an opportunity for Sabah to introduce and promote our tourism products and expanding it to include real estates. What is wrong with that?”

“Chan claimed that doing so would drive up the prices of property products.  If so, shouldn’t Chan take DAP secretary general cum Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to task for allowing the property prices in the state to skyrocket?”

Additionally, Ho said, Chan’s stand on the OBOR initiative seemed to contradict that of other DAP leaders.

“DAP’s Liew Chin Tong has called for caution in accepting Chinese investments. Another DAP leader, Pua Kiam Wee, used to doubt our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s ability to attract Chinese investments.”

Ho said Chan has publicly commented on Sabah’s absence in the OBOR initiative and belittled the Malaysia China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah branch’s effort in promoting OBOR.

“Last month, the Chinese Consul General Chen Peijie has commended MCCC Sabah branch for undertaking active work in promoting the OBOR initiative, as well as facilitating bilateral economic, trade and culture exchanges between the Sabah and China.

“Some business leaders opt to work in a low-key manner. Although they do not publicize everything they do, Chan should not obliterate the effort and contribution of MCCC Sabah branch and many other Sabah Chinese business groups in the OBOR initiative.

“Things are always easier said than done. If Chan has better suggestions, he can voice it out so that we can study his proposals.

“Don’t keep on making criticisms in the media and spreading negative energy in Sabah politics.”