DAP assemblyman slams mayor’s ‘close door’ approach

MIRI: Pujut- DAP state assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon saw red over the perceived refusal of new Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang to meet Opposition elected representatives wanting to air issues affecting the people and the city.

Expressing surprise in his Facebook posting, Dr Ting said the mayor is supposed to be nonpartisan and for all residents of Miri.

“I am surprised because the Miri Mayor had said he would work and coordinate closely with all the YBs, but he has either forgotten or ignored the elected representatives from Pakatan Harapan, YB for Pujut ( DAP) and MP for Miri ( PKR),” he said.

Dr Ting quoted Yii as saying in the Miri City council website that he would bring greater change to Miri together with elected representatives and Cabinet members.

Yii had said he would work closely with all elected representatives within and around Miri in bringing greater changes for Miri. He had cited Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Rosey Yunus, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebatian Ting, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat and Sibut MP Ahmad Lai.

“Are you a mayor for Miri or for Barisan Nasional?” Dr Ting asked.

Dr Ting also queried whether the new mayor was deliberately excluding elected representatives from DAP and PKR, and whether Pujut state seat and Miri parliamentary seat were not “within and around Miri area” where the latter had pledged to serve.

The previous mayor Lawrence Lai Yew Son had an open door policy in dealing with Opposition elected representatives when public interest issues were brought to the attention of the council, he added.