Opposition areas deserve equal attention as govt-held constituencies, says DAP man

KUCHING (Jan 28): Opposition-held areas deserve the same attention, respect and investment as government-held seats, said Michael Kong.

The special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said that development should never be held hostage to political alignment.

“Roads, drainage and basic infrastructure are public necessities, not political rewards. Development must unite our communities, not weaponised to divide them,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He was responding to remarks by Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, who alleged that Sungai Apong had been sidelined from development for nearly two decades due to political structures.

Kong said Wee’s comments were “revealing and troubling” and reinforced long-standing assertions that development in the area was influenced by political alignment.

“Such practices are also inconsistent with the principles of a mature democracy, such as the federal government’s continued allocation of substantial funding to opposition-led states such as Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu despite political differences.

“If the federal government can rise above partisan politics, why can’t SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party) do the same in Sarawak?” he asked.

He added DAP Sarawak would continue to speak up against what is viewed as injustice, and would press for fair, needs-based development for all Sarawakians regardless of political affiliation.