KUCHING: Opposition politicians should steer clear of resorting to politicking during the current Covid-19 pandemic, said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
This came after Dr Sim became the subject of malicious allegations by Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen and his aide Michael Kong over the state government’s food distribution funding.
On April 15 and April 18, Chong stated in his two Facebook posts that Sim abused his power to control Food Aid Funds during the present Covid-19 pandemic, followed by one Facebook post by Kong.
“The statements made by YB Chong Chieng Jen and Michael Kong against me, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) are incorrect, false and were done in bad faith.
“The said statements misrepresent the truth to Sarawakians as their statements are untrue and should not have been made and they should admit that they were wrong,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Dr Sim added that as politicians and as lawyers, Chong and Kong should not advance their personal cause during this Covid-19 pandemic.
“The needs of Sarawakians are far more important and we should work for the people.
“It is simply disappointing and disheartening to see such conduct on their part,” he added.
On April 3, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah clarified that the state government had made it clear that all allocations of funds would be channelled to Divisional/District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), and not the respective state assemblyman or assemblywoman/MP service centres.
On April 6, Fatimah again issued a press statement clarifying that all fundings by the state government would be channelled and managed by the DDMC (comprising the Residents, District Officers, Sarawak Welfare Department and other related government agencies, the state assemblyman or assemblywoman/MP service centres and the relevant NGOs.)
On April 12, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, explained in his press statement that the state government had retracted its earlier decision and had decided to channel the funds relating to the Covid-19 pandemic to the respective DDMCs instead.
Yesterday, Dr Sim urged the people of Sarawak to stay strong during this trying time and not be swayed by such politicking.
“We, the people of Sarawak, know better and are in fact better than this (incorrect statements made in bad faith).
“Stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home during movement control order (MCO),” he added.
