Don’t push federal duties to Sarawak, says Tiong
SIBU: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Chong Chieng Jen was told not to push the duties of the federal government to Sarawak.
In a press statement received here yesterday, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Chong, who is also Stampin MP, should not make himself a laughing stock by giving confusing statements on the roles of the federal and Sarawak governments.
He said, since being appointed a deputy minister, Chong had not done anything constructive for Sarawak but was busy ‘shoepolishing’ his masters in Putrajaya.
He added that Chong had pushed all responsibilities to the Sarawak government when the federal government failed, like in the maintenance of federal roads in Sarawak.
“Is he so willing to sell off Sarawak? For what he has not accomplished, do not shift the burden to others.”
He also questioned whether Chong could get any problems solved if he kept on pointing fingers at the previous government.
“As an MP and a deputy minister, he has the opportunity to check on facts. Yet, he keeps blaming others about federal fund allocation being blocked by the previous government. As a lawyer, he should know the importance of proof if he wants to accuse.”
He said fund allocated for road maintenance was a federal government’s duty.
“Does he want Sarawak to shoulder the responsibility of the federal government? His contradicting statements have confused the people. This shows how incapable he is.
“Is whatever he is doing to please his federal bosses? Does Chong want to sell Sarawak out?”
He said Chong’s habit of pointing fingers had never gotten anything done.
“As a deputy minister, check first before pushing the blame to others. Furnish your proof that the federal fund has been blocked by the Sarawak government. Check the facts with Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.”
Chong claimed funds for road maintenance for November and December had been blocked.
“Isn’t this a federal government matter? Why should Sarawak shoulder it?”
Tiong said he had raised this matter repeatedly, adding that road maintenance should be shouldered by the federal government, and the burden should not be shifted to others.