KUCHING: It is the internal split within Pakatan Harapan (PH) that caused the collapse of the federal government which was in power for only twenty one months.
“Therefore, PH, particularly DAP, should blame themselves for their own conflicting agendas, self-interests, greed for power and blatant disregard for the people’s interest,” said Eric Tay, a leader of Kuching Team Dynamic, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), yesterday.
Eric was responding to remarks by several leaders of Sarawak DAP which accused Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) of supporting and cooperating with ‘kleptocrats’ and religious extremists in Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“These remarks are aimed at intimidating Sarawakians. Wasn’t DAP in alliance with PAS at one time? Who are they calling religious bigots now?
“In fact, DAP’s political stance is swinging from left to right and back, proven by their support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim one time and then shifted to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad all within a day.
This is their nature — prioritising their own position over principles and people’s interest,” said Tay.
He claimed that when PH was in power, DAP failed to perform checks and balances, which led to the dominance of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir.
“Economy wise, the nation has gone into a recession, which has pushed the prices of goods upward and caused the depreciation of the ringgit. Stocks continued to decline even below the support level of 1,600. Foreign investors showed low level of confidence and economic growth rate has fallen from 4.4 percent in the third quarter to 3.6 percent in the fourth quarter,” said Tay.
He added that the PH government borrowed RM3 billion last December and did not repay the national debt. And this year in between January 3 and February 11, another RM19 billion was borrowed to increase the national debt.
“During this period, none of the government’s debt was repaid, and many national assets have been sold, and the national debt now exceeded RM1 trillion. This showed the totally failed financial management by the then finance minister Lim Guan Eng,” he said.
He said since PH government didn’t live up to the expectations of the people, coupled with its intense internal conflict, what else can DAP Sarawak offer to get GPS’ support to secure their governing position?
“Could it be the condition as proposed by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, which is giving way to GPS in the coming state election?
“The under-the-table political deal suggested by DAP was tantamount to a travesty of democracy as that would wipe out the power of the voters. How should it be accepted?” he asked.
Tay stressed that the interests of Sarawak should be the top consideration, referring to GPS’ kingmaker role in supporting Muhyiddin.
“It’s certainly more beneficial to Sarawakians compared to PH’s reluctance and procrastination all in returning Sarawak’s rights and autonomies,” he said.
