KUCHING: Kuching MP Dr Kevin Yii has promised to use his role as a backbencher in Parliament to offer constructive suggestions and feedback to the government.
Interviewed in conjunction with the first year of Pakatan Harapan rule in Malaysia today, he said, “Despite all the good things we have achieved so far, it is important that we do not lose sight of the more things that have to be done.
“We should not be arrogant but should always listen to the voices of the people because on May 9 last year, it was actually the people who won.
“A journey of a thousand miles starts with first step. We may have made that first step but the journey ahead may be challenging. We need to keep on listening and learning as we chart our next steps.”
The first year of PH rule, he added, had not been easy.
“But it was an important step that we needed to take to redirect a new direction for our country and save it from being known as a global kleptocracy.
“In many aspects, in the first year of its rule, the new PH government had to do house-cleaning to reset the nation’s financial position by combating corruption and improving governance standards,” he said.
The new government, Yii added, had to come to grips with the financial mess left by the previous administration on top of inheriting the financial challenges during a challenging time of global economic slowdown, trade wars and general slowdown of growth in the country.
The MP pointed out that among other things, PH began its administration with the disclosure of several financial issues and scandals that were not widely known before GE14 including the extent of the 1MDB scandal, the Felda and Tabung Haji scandals and many others.
“This does not take into account the higher national debts and liabilities that the government had to bear, including the need to renegotiate mega projects and loop-sided contracts that were signed in the previous administration.”
Dr Yii added, “I tried to challenge myself to do my best, to serve the people and be accountable to the resources that have been allocated to me.”
“Even with the challenges that we face, the efforts that were made to address them including sizeable reduction in the cost of committed mega projects, the restoration of accountability and trust in the country’s public finances while avoiding a Greece-like government debt implosion are a few examples of the many good things the new government has done within the first year.”
The MP pointed out that what was even more important was to set stronger economic fundamentals and good government measures that would take time for its fruits and results to be seen.
“But I am confident, that with a cleaner and transparent government, the people including the people of Sarawak will benefit as more money that is saved through anti-corruption measures and wastage can be pumped back to the people, especially in the long term,” he said.
“On top of that, it is important that we stay the course of reforms, and trying our best to fulfill the promises that we made to the people.
“While many could not yet be carried out due to financial restraints, yet we must continue to show sincerity and try our best to fulfil what was promised to the people.
“It is also important to make sure that we keep striving to restore the rights of Sarawak that was lost and see Sarawak get more equitable development.”
