KUCHING: It seems that Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s voice that should have fought for Sarawak’s rights has been weakened by his party’s leader in the peninsula. “Well, what is the role of the federal government and yours, Chong? (Bah, apa lah peranan kerajaan persekutuan dan kau, Chong?)” questioned Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
“Usually, we expect representatives from Sarawak in the Cabinet or ministries at the federal level to ensure better development for our state,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He said that since PH took over, many of the projects under the federal government needed by the people of Sarawak have been cancelled. “To address the matter, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has decided to pursue these (cancelled) projects using state funds, even though it is the responsibility of the federal government,” he said in response to Chong’s statement on the Sarawak government not prioritising dilapidated schools. He noted that Chong’s statement seemed to take advantage of the chief minister’s commitment.
“He (Chong) has never fought for funds or projects, which is the responsibility of the federal government, to be implemented in Sarawak. But instead, he supports the state government to use its own funds to carry out such projects,” he pointed out.
Fazzrudin added that Chong has forgotten that Sarawak was threatened by his boss to pay its debt to the federal government before they start repairing dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
“He forgot that his boss, who is also the Finance Minister, made the statement that Sarawak would go bankrupt within three years and that would have been a huge blow to Sarawak.
“So before you say anything to the chief minister, please address your boss first. Would you dare? (Jadi sebelum hendak menegur Ketua Menteri Sarawak, tegurlah bos kau dolok. Ada berani?)”
