CM never told opposition reps to join BN, says Chong
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg did not say that opposition elected representatives should join Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak when they asked the Chief Minister about government allocations to their constituencies, says state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
He said this when asked to comment on SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian’s claim that Abang Johari had asked the opposition leaders to join BN to get government allocations.
Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, said Dr Sim who is also the Local Government and Housing Minister was not present at that meeting between DAP and the Chief Minister.
“Dr Sim wasn’t even present at the meeting. I talked about how the state government should be more aggressive in demanding for autonomy,” said Chong when contacted here yesterday.
Asked whether he was supposed to keep what was being deliberated at the meeting private and confidential, Chong said: “CM did request for certain things that he mentioned to be kept confidential.” He said Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong had touched on the need for allocations be given to all elected representatives irrespective of their political parties.
“Violet did mention that in a fair democratic system, allocations for elected representatives should be the same regardless of the political party.
“And that if Abang Johari wished to make a true reform, then he has to change from the old style of politics of patronage,” pointed out Chong.
When asked about Abang Johari’s reaction to their request, Chong said the Chief Minister said he would look into it and not what Dr Sim claimed he said about the opposition joining BN.
“Anyway, to me, the DAP areas are getting the most allocations for development every year compared to other areas under BN. For instance, Kota Sentosa will have three new flyovers under the Pan Borneo project at 4 1/2 Mile, 6th Mile and 7th Mile.” He said these flyover projects alone are worth RM200 million.