GPS turns accountability and transparency into systems, not slogans or social media talk

Yap (left) and Chong (right) during a debate at the DUS sitting on May 13, 2026.

By Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, May 13: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has criticised Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, saying that governing a State demands more than political slogans, but strong political will to institutionalise reform through laws, structures, and effective implementation.

Yap said Chong had repeatedly promoted themes such as competency, accountability and transparency in political campaigns, social media and public engagements, but stressed that governance must be measured by tangible institutional outcomes rather than rhetoric.

He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has instead delivered meaningful reforms by focusing on solutions, institution-building and strengthening governance frameworks for the long-term benefit of Sarawakians.

“This Select Committee is not a political gimmick. It is an institutional mechanism designed to ensure that complaints relating to maladministration, delays, inefficiencies, abuse of power, and weaknesses in public service delivery are properly scrutinised and followed through within this House. This is accountability in action,” he said when debating the motion to establish a Special Select Committee in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.

Yap added that competency in governance should not be judged by who speaks the loudest, but by whether effective systems are in place to improve administration and safeguard the interests of the rakyat.

He said the GPS government recognises that good governance requires independent oversight mechanisms, which is why Sarawak is among the pioneers in introducing a comprehensive Ombudsman framework.

“Today, we are taking the next important step by ensuring that findings and reports arising from the Ombudsman process receive proper legislative attention through this Select Committee.

“This demonstrates a government that is confident enough to embrace scrutiny because it is committed to continuous improvement,” he said.

Yap stressed that transparency cannot be achieved through press statements or social media debates alone, but must be supported by structured processes and clear accountability mechanisms.

He said the proposed mechanism would allow public complaints to be formally examined, adding an additional layer of institutional oversight that strengthens public confidence by ensuring reports are not merely tabled for formality but acted upon.

He further said the GPS government has consistently shown that reform and stability can coexist, arguing that governance improvements can be implemented without creating political instability or divisive politics.

“Oversight and accountability are not the monopoly of the opposition. Good governance is the responsibility of the government itself. GPS does not fear accountability; it institutionalises it. GPS does not merely preach transparency, but creates systems that enforce it. GPS does not simply talk about competency; it delivers it through policy implementation and institutional reform,” he said. — DayakDaily