KUCHING, 19 Oct: Several local leaders came forward to retaliate against allegations made by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, in regards to the RM1 billion loan repayment for the repair of dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
Among those who have voiced his disappointment include Chief Political Secretary to the Premier, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman who said that Sarawak was given ‘preferentially harsh treatment’.
“Chong’s statement can be described as ill-conceived and was not sensitive to the needs of the people of Sarawak,” he said in a statement, adding that the issue of the repair of dilapidated schools is being treated as a political ploy by the DAP and the Pakatan Harapan.
The Tupong assemblyman stressed that the responsibility to repair dilapidated schools is by the federal government under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution and that Sarawak government’s action in demanding the federal government to repair the schools in the state is justified.
In addition, Fazzrudin said that Chong’s explanation that the federal government having to cut red tapes and give Sarawak “preferential treatment” to channel the RM1 billion as direct grant is itself fact-twisting.
Meanwhile, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Youth Chief, Miro Simuh chimed in the same opinion, noting that it is petty of the then Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng, to demand the repayment of the debt.
“I am gravely disappointed by the statement by Chong which can be seen as a desperate attempt to win brownie points among the DAP and PH supporters and downplay the seriousness of the issue.
“What matters now and what is clear for us all of us – the people in Sarawak – to see is that we were subjected to bullying of the highest order by the PH federal government during its 22 months in power,” he added.
Similarly, PBB Deputy Youth Chief, Lukanisman Awang Sauni regarded Chong’s action as a whitewashing attempt to absolve Guan Eng and the then Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government of their own shortcomings in assisting Sarawak. – TVS
