Chong (centre) gets a warm welcome upon arrival. Behind him is Leon.
KUCHING: DAP Sarawak vice chairman Leon Jimat Donald regrets the attempts to stop longhouse folk of Undup, Sri Aman from attending a Pakatan Harapan federal government programme at one of the longhouses last Friday.
He said he received complaints that their community leaders warned them against attending the event, which was a working visit by Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen.
According to Leon, Chong was in the area for a ministry’s dialogue to gain feedback on problems faced by consumers in the rural areas particularly in the longhouses. Villagers from 20 longhouses were invited to the dialogue.
“The event held at Rumah Romeo Serit, Munggu Demam, Batu Lintang in Undup, can be considered a success with many folk turning up. But what was regrettable, was that there were attempts to stop these folk from attending it.
“Attendance at such programmes to get feedback from the consumers and also to explain government policies including the newly introduced Sales and Services Tax (SST), should be encouraged so that the people know more about their rights as consumers,” he said.
He also alleged that the community leaders, who are linked to the parties in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), have politicised the objective of the programme.
He said such actions do not reflect the stand of GPS leaders who have already declared that GPS will be friendly to PH government.
He was nonetheless happy with the good turn-out at the event.
Chong (seated third left) flanked by Leon (fourth left), looks on as a miring ceremony is performed.