Sarawak deputy premier tells state assembly ‘reckless’ DAP reps should be referred to Privileges Committee

KUCHING, Nov 28 — Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian today said the time had come for the Committee of Privileges to haul up two state DAP lawmakers over their alleged behaviour in the state assembly.

He accused Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblyman Violet Yong of playing to the gallery in their criticism of both the state government and him.

“All of which are made without any attempt at verification and not justifiable as fair comment or qualifying as privilege,” said Dr Sim, who is also the state minister of public health, housing, and local government, in his winding-up speech at the state assembly.

Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president, urged the two DAP lawmakers not to “practise peninsular Malaysia’s toxic political culture in Sarawak”.

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He said Yong was “utterly irresponsible, thoughtless and reckless” to claim that he did not look after the rights or protect the interests of property managers from Sarawak.

He added that unlike the legal profession, there are no restrictions imposed on peninsular Malaysian registered property managers, engineers, and architects to practise in Sarawak.

He also urged Chong and Yong to apologise for misleading the people of Sarawak during last year’s general election.

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“DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had the wisdom to personally apologise to the Sarawak Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg) and myself on November 23, 2022. Even (DAP chairman) Lim Guan Eng apologised to the people of Sarawak on the same day,” he said.

He also asked Chong and Yong to enlighten the august House about promises made in their general election manifesto, such as recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).