No need to politicise RM100m issue, Sim tells Chong

KUCHING: There is no need to politicise the RM100 million promised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for repairing and upgrading dilapidated schools and clinics.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian made this clear after Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen criticised the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) for bringing the issue to the press.

“When all of you (reporters) asked me about the RM100 million, I just stated the facts: we had not received it. Nothing more, nothing less.

“But now, it is being politicised (by Chong). Since it’s being channelled to the Public Works Department, good.

“Finally, he’s doing his job as an MP, which is his responsibility,” Dr Sim told reporters after officiating the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government’s Integrity Day at Wisma Sabati here Wednesday.

Dr Sim stressed that he had never suggested anyone should ask Anwar about the funds.

“I did not add anything else. I did not say, ‘Why don’t you go and ask Anwar?’ I never said any of this,” he added.

On July 23, Chong, who is Stampin MP, issued a statement saying he had directly enquired with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) regarding the fund’s disbursement and spoke about the matter in parliament last week.

He confirmed that the funds had been channelled to PWD Sarawak, with RM50 million allocated for repairing dilapidated schools and RM50 million for upgrading clinics.

Dr Sim reiterated that the Sarawak government had no issues with the Prime Minister and urged Chong not to create problems for publicity.