Dr Sim says Lim’s offer of only one minister if PH wins an insult

KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has branded DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng’s statement that the proposed Pakatan Harapan government’s cabinet will have only one representative from the state, as a joke and insult to Sarawakians.

Party president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian questioned why only one representative from Sarawak when there are six ministers from Sarawak in the present cabinet.

“This offer made by Pakatan Harapan reflects their attitude that West Malaysians come first. They never reflect that Sarawakians come first.

“At the moment, we have six Sarawakian members in the federal cabinet. But you just offer us only one,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

He pointed out the next federal government cannot be formed without Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) which, according to him, will surely win at least 25 seats.

These seats won by Sarawak BN can decide who gets the majority out the 222 seats nationwide to form the government, he added.

“It’s unfortunate that SUPP did not win any Chinese seats in the last general election to allow a Chinese representative from Sarawak in the cabinet. Before that, we always have a Sarawakian Chinese representation, from Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui, Tan Sri Stephen Yong, Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding and Tan Sri Peter Chin.

“As long as a Chinese from Sarawak BN wins in this coming election, I am confident that this tradition of having a Sarawakian Chinese in the federal cabinet will continue,” he said.

On Sunday, Lim had said at a public talk at RH Plaza that he shall recommend to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to appoint DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen as a federal minister if Chong wins his seat and PH takes over Putrajaya.

Chong, who is DAP candidate for Stampin, is locking horns with Dr Sim who was nominated as BN candidate for the seat.

Meanwhile, SUPP Kota Sentosa branch chief Wilfred Yap challenged Chong to come up with a report card on what he (Chong) has done to Bandar Kuching when becoming its MP for the 15 years.

He doubted Chong has done anything to improve Bandar Kuching during those years.

“He (Chong) must show his report card of 15 years as MP to the Stampin people and tell them why they should elect him as their MP,” said Yap.

Chong was elected as Bandar Kuching for three consecutive terms, before deciding to move to Stampin where he will face off with Dr Sim.

On another matter, Dr Sim condemned yesterday’s attack on the car belonging to BN candidate in Bandar Kuching, Kho Teck Wan.

“This is unhealthy culture. We believe in fair election, but we don’t believe in vandalism and negative campaigning and doing harm to others,” he said.

He also said the social media plays a big role in this election, since the handphone is now considered ‘taiko’ in dissemination of news.

He however cautioned that 50 percent of Internet news portals are controlled by the opposition through the Red Bean Army.