Govt agencies in S’wak fair to all regardless of political affiliation, says Tiong

BINTULU (Oct 17): All government agencies in Sarawak are committed to serving the people impartially, with no room for favoritism, said federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

“As a politician, I disagree with the notion that communities in constituencies held by the opposition are treated coldly or with indifference by local government officials.

“Local government administration has never been about party politics, and resources are not allocated based on whether a region falls under the control of the opposition. There is no favouritism or unfair allocation of resources,” he said in a statement.

He said every government department and agency in Sarawak has always upheld the principle of ‘Sarawak First’ and maintained impartiality in carrying out their duties and services.

“We are dedicated to addressing all public issues in the state and improving the well-being of the people of Sarawak.

“This is evident in my constituency of Bintulu, where I have served as a Member of Parliament for over 20 years.

“Local government officials have always cooperated with me in advancing public services, and local issues have been actively addressed. Together, we have created a harmonious and prosperous Bintulu,” said Tiong.

He said even when some state seats in his parliamentary constituency were held by the opposition in the past, government officials had always remained committed to their mission of serving the people.

“I have never witnessed local government officials treating issues differently because of an ADUN’s (state assemblyman) political affiliation. The claim that officials neglect public issues due to political differences is simply untrue.

“I do not deny that among the many local government officials, there may be a few bad apples who do not meet ideal standards and need to improve their service attitude and be more professional,” he said.

However, he said this is a challenge faced by local governments in both ruling and opposition constituencies.

He emphasised it is the responsibility of both sides to work together to improve services, and it requires elected representatives and local governments to jointly explore solutions.

“Therefore, I urge politicians not to undermine their opponents for personal agendas or self-promotion, which may unfairly lead to accusations against government officials, causing people to believe that officials are biased or that local government administration is influenced by party politics,” he said.

Tiong said anyone truly committed to serving society should actively engage with the community, understand local issues, and sincerely seek solutions, rather than just taking photos or paying lip service.

He emphasised that politicians, regardless of party, should fulfil their responsibility to serve the people, maintain good cooperation with all local government units, and promptly reflect the voice of the people.

“Only then can we deliver better development for the region and greater well-being for the people,” he added.