Violet Yong
KUCHING: The recent statement by Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian on the Chief Minister asking the opposition to join Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak to get government allocations is “very uncalled for”, says Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.
The DAP law-maker said Dr Sim’s statement also showed how ignorant the SUPP president is.
She added that Dr Sim ought to extend an open apology to Sarawakians for the statement he made on Saturday.
“CM did not say we should join BN if we want government allocations. All CM said was that he will study the matter.
“The role of the opposition should be respected in a democratic society and Dr Sim’s statement reflects his ignorance,” she said when contacted yesterday.
“He was talking as if it’s his own money. If they do not want to allocate grants to opposition areas, then don’t collect tax from those voted for the opposition.”
She pointed out that Dr Sim was not present at the recent DAP meeting with the Chief Minister, adding that three other ministers who were present “are from PBB”.
The three ministers were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Rural Electricity and Water Supply Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, she said.
She added that two private secretaries of the Chief Minister were also present.
“I do not know how and from whom Dr Sim got the information. But the main focus of the meeting was on autonomy issues. I remember (Kota Sentosa assemblyman and state DAP chairman) Chong (Chieng Jen) told CM that if Pakatan Harapan takes over Putrajaya in the 14th general elections, 50 per cent of the tax collected in Sarawak will be returned to Sarawak,” said Yong.
She reiterated that Dr Sim should respect elected representatives from the opposition while pointing out that “all the perks BN YBs are getting come from the people”.