Activist questions necessity of S’wak govt’s Norway study tour, chides Opposition reps for silence

KUCHING (Sept 30): The necessity of a Sarawak government delegation’s working tour of Norway next month has been called into question.

Social activist Voon Shiak Ni claimed the visit to understand Bergen’s development as a model for Kapit is puzzling.

“It beats me. Norway is one of the coldest places and even the trees in Norway are of different species to withstand the cold weather and winter,” she said in a statement today.

Voon said the state government had funded numerous trips overseas since early this year, including to Canada and Australia.

She opined it was disappointing that there has been a growing silence on how taxpayers’ money is spent since the Unity Government was formed at federal level.

“The public is especially concerned about the lack of checks and balances, particularly when it comes to public spending on initiatives like these study tours to overseas,” she claimed.

She chided Opposition elected representatives, who used to be vocal about holding the government accountable, for appearing more focused on “toeing the coalition line”.

She asserted that taxpayers deserve transparency on the actual budget estimates for these study tours.

“What are the projected costs and how do they justify the potential benefits?” she asked.

She called on the government to provide a detailed breakdown of expenses and ensure mechanisms are in place for public accountability.

Without clear oversight, she said such tours risk becoming expensive exercises in futility.

“The absence of a credible opposing voice in the current political landscape risks stifling healthy debate and accountability, both of which are crucial for meaningful progress.

“Without active checks and balances, decisions go unchallenged, and issues like unchecked public spending or ineffective policies remain,” she added.

On Friday, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Native Customs and Laws) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat said a delegation representing Sarawak’s central region will be conducting a working tour in Norway from Oct 26-31.

He said this programme, which was proposed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, will focus on Bergen, Norway’s second largest city.

According to him, the objective is to study the planning and development of Bergen, which has a similar physical landscape and terrain as Kapit.