Bawang Assan rep slams DAP on UEC, broken election pledges

SIBU (Dec 13): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has criticised the Democratic Action Party (DAP) over what he describes as a series of unfulfilled promises, particularly regarding the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has made it clear – the UEC will not be recognised,” he said in a statement, stressing that the issue was not new and had been explicitly stated in DAP’s election manifesto.

“The UEC was never new. It was in your manifesto, a promise to voters. Now it is suddenly too difficult?” he said, adding that UEC was just one in a long list of broken promises.

“Voters were sold hope, and all they got was empty words,” added Wong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Senior Vice President.

He also cited Transport Minister and DAP secretary-general, Anthony Loke’s remark that “even if I resign, it still cannot be done,” questioning why such promises were made in the first place.

“If it could not be done, why promise it? If impossible, why use it to win votes?” he asked.

Wong further criticised what he described as contradictions in DAP’s political stance, noting that while the party had hinted at leaving the Cabinet if issues remained unresolved, it insisted on continuing to support the government.

“You prop up a government that goes against everything you claimed to fight for,” Wong said, describing such actions as “not strategy” but “betrayal”.

He pointed out that DAP had relentlessly attacked the previous government and promised to do better, leading voters to trust the party.

He questioned what voters had gained after being told the promises could not be delivered.

Highlighting DAP’s 40 parliamentary seats, Wong said the power entrusted by voters carries responsibility.

He argued that resigning, while continuing to support a government that ignores its promises was not compromise, but betrayal.

“You legitimise policies your voters oppose and abandon the very people who put you in office.

“Every time you compromise, your voters compromise. Every time you retreat, they retreat with you. Did you ask them if they agreed?

“Or did you decide for them that political convenience matters more than principle?” asked Wong.

Wong also accused the party of threatening the Chinese community, claiming that without their votes, they would lose certain personal freedoms.

He pointed out that under the current government, people were facing restrictions in hospitals, police stations and public offices, and questioned whether such freedoms had been denied during Perikatan Nasional’s rule from 2020 to 2022.

On the economic front, Wong argued that the current government had introduced numerous new taxes, placing a burden on citizens and businesses while taking credit for a stronger ringgit.

“Anyone with basic economic sense knows the ringgit rose because the US dollar weakened due to interest rate cuts, not because of your policies,” he said.

Wong cited Singapore and Hong Kong as examples, noting that they achieved growth by keeping taxes very low or tax-free to attract investment and talent, rather than heavily taxing the people.

“Yet you continue to squeeze the people while taking credit for outcomes beyond your control. Stop deceiving the people and deliver on your promises! Power in a democracy is entrusted.

“Betrayal comes at a cost!”