Batu Kitang rep questions whether Chong is defending S’wak or DAP’s Peninsular leaders over ART, new airport

Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang. Photo credit: Sarawak Information Department (Japen)

By Amanda L

KUCHING, Oct 14: Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang has questioned whether Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen is defending Sarawak’s interests or following the position of his party’s Peninsular Malaysia leadership in criticising the State’s major infrastructure projects.

Speaking during the debate on the Sarawak Budget 2027 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUS) complex today, he took issue with the criticism of Sarawak’s proposed Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system and new airport, drawing a comparison with major infrastructure investments in Penang.

“If Penang’s LRT and airport expansion is considered worthwhile in Penang, then Sarawak’s ART and new airport should also be assessed fairly on its merits, rather than dismissed simply because it is a major undertaking,” he said.

The Batu Kitang assemblyman said he had no objection to Penang receiving the infrastructure it needed, but maintained that Sarawak deserved the same opportunity to pursue projects aimed at meeting its development needs.

“The people of Penang deserve progress and development, just as the people of Sarawak do,” he said.

It was against this comparison that Lo questioned Chong’s political priorities, asking whether the Padungan assemblyman, who also serves as Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman, was placing Sarawak’s interests ahead of his party’s position in Peninsular Malaysia.

“Sometimes I wonder whether the Padungan assemblyman is putting Sarawak’s interests first or defending the position of his party’s leadership in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

Lo argued that Sarawak’s spending had gone towards development, including port acquisitions, bridges, roads and ART infrastructure, rather than being confined to operating expenditure.

He said the same criticism directed at Sarawak’s major projects should also be applied to federal infrastructure spending.

His defence came as he backed the Sarawak Budget 2027, which projects revenue of RM15.091 billion, development expenditure of RM10.098 billion and a surplus of RM246 million.

Chong had earlier called on the Sarawak government to abandon its proposed RM10 billion new Kuching International Airport, halt further development of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project and scrap the proposed deep-sea port, arguing that excessive spending and overly optimistic revenue projections could lead to budget deficits.—DayakDaily