Chong Chieng Jen
By Jeremy Veno
KUCHING: The accusations hurled against the Federal Government for cancelling so-called “approved” projects in Sarawak is a reflection of GPS lawmakers who are worried of losing in the next state election.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) have clarified that the cancelled or terminated projects are based on two definitive categories.
The first category he said are projects that is merely talk or “hot air” by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during his visit around the country prior to GE14.
“He (Najib) made the project promises. But, there were no budgetary allocations approved in parliament,” said Chong to a press conference that was held at the DAP headquarters today.
Under the same category, Chong revealed that there are hundreds of such projects throughout the country which also reflects the poor practice of the BN government for making promises which they cannot deliver due to the lack of funds.
“This is also why there are so many earth breaking ceremony for the same project year after year without seeing the project being carried out,” he added.
The second category for the cancelled or terminated projects, according to the MOF he said are projects that is awarded to contractors without any open tender.
“In other words, these are also known as crony projects that will only benefit the cronies at the expense of the people due to the highly inflated price,” said Chong who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.
On another note, he also highlighted the plight of the people in Tondong who finally have their sewer tank fixed by the Padawan Municipal Council at a cost of about RM200,000 after a wait of 12 years.
Prior to the construction, SUPP have disclosed that the project to fix the sewer tank and other construction works at RPR Sri Wangi, Kuching and RPR Sibujaya, Sibu was cancelled by the Federal Government.
“A letter of acceptance for all three projects was never been issued by the MOF. This clearly shows that there was never an allocation to fund for the said projects. All of it was empty promises made by Najib,” said Chong.
He added that after the resident’s plight was highlighted in the media back in August this year – SUPP has quickly managed to secure the necessary funds from the state government and the construction to fix the sewer tanks are underway.
“This incident also shows that if there is a looming threat for GPS members to lose in the next state election, only then they would be looking into the people’s plight,” said Chong who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman and Stampin MP.