State DAP: GST to blame for losing in poster war

KUCHING: State Democratic Action Party (DAP) blames the good and services tax (GST) for their inability to give Barisan Nasional (BN) a good fight in the poster war.

Its chairman Chong Chieng Jen openly acknowledged that there were lesser DAP banners, flags and billboards seen in Bandar Kuching and Stampin this time compared to that in past elections.

He said DAP was also the victims of GST like any other ordinary people of Kuching and Sarawak.

“The cost of campaign materials have gone up so much and therefore, like all people in Sarawak, we have to cut down on many other things to make ends meet.

“We have to cut down our needs and our wants because of inflation. I hope people will understand this. We all suffer the same fate, we are also victims of GST,” he told a press conference at DAP headquarters here yesterday.

Chong, who is contesting in Stampin, apologised to the people of Kuching and Stampin for not being able to put up more DAP banners, flags and billboards in both constituencies.

He said on the other hand, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), had overwhelmed DAP with all the Barisan Nasional (BN) flags, banners and billboards because they are the beneficiaries of GST while DAP and the people are the payers of GST.

He said with all the money, SUPP could get all the campaign materials to flash around for the people to see while DAP have to cut down theirs.

“That is why I say this is a battle between the people and Umno regime,” he said.