KUCHING: Several GPS leaders have voiced their support for Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who plans to take court action against PKR State Information Chief Vernon Kedit for calling him a “liar” and “traitor”.
MP Kapit Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said calling a respectable state leader or any other political leader, friend or foe, is morally distasteful and goes beyond political decency.
“We respect freedom of speech and in politics we must also mutually appreciate the principal of ‘agree to disagree’. We must not tolerate bigotry and racism in our political culture. This political morality must be observed, especially when we are living in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society like Sarawak.
“Datuk Amar Douglas does not represent Dayak alone but represents the interest of all communities in Sarawak as a whole. He is right to defend himself against an allegation which hurt his intergrity as a state leader.
“We in GPS support his legal action for reasons, among others, to always subscribe to righteousness, ethical and sensitivity in our political practice. In Politics, we should not get too personal, especially when criticising others. Limit the criticism to the issue, not on the person. Don’t try to put someone down dishonestly by slandering or defaming.
Layar Assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu said Vernon has made unfounded allegations against a state leader who has shown commitment, passion and sincerity in the interest of all the natives in Sarawak.
“Datuk Amar Douglas does not deserve to be called a ‘liar and traitor’. Being an Iban we should know our own adat and ‘basa’.
“We support Datuk Amar Douglas action as marally justified in protecting his integrity. We don’t condone this indecent political culture from across the sea. All this while, Sarawakians have been living in unity, peace and harmony and this must be maintained.
Meanwhile, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Romeo Thomas Tegong remarked that Vernon is a populist who is trying his best to portray himself as a ‘political fighter’ but the more he talks, one can only conclude that he is politically irrelevant and perhalps a menace and burden to PKR.
“He is more like a ‘thunder’ without ‘lightning’. People on the ground knows that he failed to deliver anything significant for his own iban community, what more for the State. That’s why he lost in the last election. People want a Wakil Rakyat who can work and not one who only knows how to talk loudly,” he said adding that Vernon must be responsible for his own action.
Semop Assemblyman Abdullah Saidol had this to say: “A politician such as Vernon, whose mouth is faster than brain, in most cases will be ignored. He frequently posted statements which are racially insensitive solely to attract political attention. This is morally wrong.
“Sarawkians who believe in racial harmony should not support this type of political behaviour. Douglas legal action is about sending a clear message that a certain level of political ethics must be maintained. Winning an election by way of manipulating the truth with wild allegations will not last. It may disrupt racial integration and peace.”
