KUCHING: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap is open to engaging in a public debate with Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, specifically focusing on the constituency matters.
He said the opposition leader was the former three-term assemblyman for Kota Sentosa, thus it is appropriate for the latter to share on what he had done for the people in the constituency.
Furthermore, Chong is the current Member of Parliament for Stampin, which also covers Kota Sentosa (state seat), hence, it is pertinent for him to debate regarding the development of the constituency during his tenure.
“Any public debate between Chong and I must be relevant to the voters of Kota Sentosa and on matters both are responsible for, like whether the constituency is now better served under a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) assemblyman or whether it was left behind for 15 years under DAP representation in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly,” he said in a statement today.
Yap was responding to a letter he received from Chong’s special assistant Michael Kong, proposing a few topics for debate, namely views on housing and local government matters; accountability and transparency as well as education in Sarawak.
Kong also suggested that the public debate be held on May 9, 7.30 pm at Kuching Civic Centre or Raia Hotel & Convention Centre.
While Yap is ready to talk about issues concerning his constituency, he said, the proposal to have a debate with Kong on accountability and transparency would be a sheer waste of time as he does not hold a government post directly involved in policy making regarding integrity matters.
“I am just an ordinary YB and do not hold any government post and am not directly involved in the making of policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures on integrity, accountability and transparency of government ministries, departments, local authorities and government linked companies,” he said.
In addition, Sarawak’s passing of the Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, reflected the state government’s commitment to fostering an integrity culture, encompassing accountability beyond mere avoidance of corruption, embezzlement, or fraud.
He said this ordinance emphasised the importance of holding individuals in government accountable for their actions, decisions, and their consequences.
