KUCHING: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak claims that the ‘Sarawak First’ slogan does not work for the common Sarawakians and only benefits the elite.
Its chairman Chong Chieng Jen listed 10 issues and matters that have adversely affected ordinary Sarawakians in their everyday lives.
These include the sales tax, monopoly of cement supply, land for industrial development, houses prices, inflation, bank scams and many others, he said during his daily press conference yesterday (Nov 14).
On industrial development, Chong alleged that the state government failed to provide cheap land for the domestic small medium enterprises.
“As such, small medium industry in Sarawak could not grow and many youngsters are forced to go to other places to seek jobs.
“While Sarawak has vast land, many small entrepreneurs could not afford land for their factories,” he said.
He added that while Sarawak has vast land, many common Sarawakians, especially the youngsters are unable to buy a house.
“Houses in Sarawak are most unaffordable as compared to other states in Malaysia.
“While autonomy and devolution of power may sound good, but without good governance and accountability, such autonomy and devolution of power merely benefit the ruling elites while the majority of ordinary Sarawakians continue to suffer,” he said.
