KUCHING: Peter Pau, Sarawak United People’s Party Central Youth digital economy bureau chief, who was implicated in the grass-cutting saga, has hit out at Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister, Chong Chieng Jen for dragging him, “an innocent civic-conscious person, into dirty politics”.
Pau told New Sarawak Tribune he was shocked to receive calls from friends and family members as far as West Malaysia, asking him why he was scolded by Chong.
Pau said he only realised he was implicated in the issue by Chong after reading the news.
He said as far as he was concerned, he had written a letter to the State Public Works Department (JKR) because tourists he was ferrying to the airport recently commented on the tall grass.
“I called MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang first, asking him why the grass was so long.
“I told him that it did not portray a good image of our city. I am being civic conscious and for that, I am accused of being a player in dirty politics against Chong. I was told by Lo that the roads were under the federal government and was advised to write to Talikhimat to let it know. This I did,” he said.
Chong had, at a press conference on Sunday, hit out at four persons including Peter Pau, for staging “a grass-cutting drama”.
Pau said he was very disappointed with Chong’s attitude.
“I think Chong should concentrate on his ministry and tell us what his department has been doing and how he is going to help Sarawakians to make life easier for us all.
“He is elected to represent us. Do not indulge in petty politics. If you say you hired people to cut the grass, fine. Don’t call a press conference to announce it and implicate me into your drama.
“I am not interested to play politics. If I, as a fellow Sarawakian, get “hit” and “accused” of plotting against him for being civic conscious,do you think I dare to bring up any issue in future?
“I have always alerted the councillors in all councils if I notice something is not right,” he said.
Pau hoped Chong would not play any more politics but
concentrate on working for Sarawakians.
“Do not change and neglect Sarawak just because your position has been changed to a deputy minister,” he added.
