DAP’s Kong slams MBKS over alleged selective enforcement of law

KUCHING (Feb 2): Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Michael Kong has criticised the Kuching South City Council’s (MBKS) over its alleged selective enforcement of laws concerning the display of political party flags.

The special assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen said MBKS acted swiftly when DAP put up party flags at a hotel where the party hosted a fundraiser last year.

“Enforcement officers were immediately dispatched to remove the flags. When questioned, Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng doubled down, insisting that the law prohibits political party flags from being displayed in public except during election periods,” he said.

“If that is truly the law, then it must apply to everyone equally.

“MBKS’ selective enforcement of the law exposes its blatant favouritism and deeply troubling double standards,” Kong said in a statement yesterday.

According to him, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party flags were allowed to be displayed for three days at a hotel during a party event held late last year, without any enforcement action taken.

He pointed out that just recently (last Saturday) SUPP party flags were prominently displayed throughout the CityONE Megamall area for a party function, again without any apparent enforcement by MBKS.

This, Kong said, raised the question of whether MBKS only enforces the law only when it involves the DAP.

Kong further opined that MBKS appears quick to act when DAP-related matters are concerned.

“But when it comes to SUPP or other GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) component parties, the rules suddenly become flexible, enforcement disappears and silence prevails.

“This is not governance but blatant political bias,” he said.

As a local authority entrusted to serve the community, MBKS must not descend into partisan politics or act as an enforcement arm for certain political parties, Kong stressed.

He warned that selective enforcement erodes public trust and turns the council into a political tool rather than a public institution.

“If MBKS wishes to play politics, then let it be accountable to the people.

“Restore fair and democratic local council elections, including the election of mayor, so that the people can decide who represents them,” he said.

“Until then, MBKS must stop its favouritism, enforce the law equally, and remember that it serves all Kuchingites – not just those aligned with the ruling parties.”