Datuk Dr Ngu Piew Seng
SRI AMAN: Members of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sri Aman and Betong Divisions are unhappy that Simanggang assemblyman Datuk Francis Harden Hollis is spending more time in Engkilili than in his own constituency.
Speaking to The Borneo Post yesterday, the federation’s president Datuk Dr Ngu Piew Seng wondered why Harden had to make frequent visits to Engkilili when that constituency already has an assemblyman in Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa.
On Sunday, for instance, a Malay daily reported that Harden was in Stengin – a village in Engkilili – to officiate at a function there. At the event, he was reported to have pledged some money for the villagers, and Ngu is hardly amused.
“Why is he helping the people there (in Engkilili) when his constituents need him more? The people of Engkilili have
(Dr Johnical) Rayong to help them.”
Ngu labelled as “very lame” Harden’s often used excuse of him being an assistant minister and thus had to move around. He said it was clear that he wanted only to disturb Rayong.
He hoped SUPP of which Harden is a member, would do the wise thing and get Harden to focus on his own constituency.
On Engkilili, which used to be a SUPP stronghold, Ngu opined Engkilili was “no longer their (SUPP) turf” as the people were very supportive of Rayong, who is with United People’s Party (UPP).
“SUPP seems to have lost their sense of direction. There is hardly any event or programme here (Sri Aman town) and yet they look so busy going down to Engkilili.”
Ngu said the Chinese in Sri Aman had been very loyal to the BN, but what Harden was doing was not good for the BN.
“Time and time again, our faith in SUPP has been tested. We are sick and tired of seeing the people of Sri Aman being neglected while the party spent time in an area that is not theirs.”
Engkilili used to be SUPP’s fortress, but it became UPP’s when Rayong quit SUPP to join UPP, which was formed some time last year.