KUCHING: Stability is pointless if the elected leaders are corrupt, incompetent and clueless in addressing future economic, health and even environmental threats to our country.
Bandar Kuching incumbent Dr Kelvin Yii said this while pointing out that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) call to only “win first then only we select a federal government” as dangerous and detrimental to Sarawak due to Sarawakians not knowing what kind of federal government they will be voting for in the 15th general election (GE15).
“If GPS’ intention is merely about making out the numbers to form the government especially with UMNO/BN or PN, then the likely outcome is we may have a mere ‘stability of incompetency’, which in the end the people will suffer from.
“While stability is one of the considerations for investors whether it be domestic or international, what is even more important is the competency, good governance and effective policies.
“How would investors be confident if the country is known to be run by kleptocrats and leaders that are inefficient in addressing issues faced by the country?” Yii raised the question during the press conference held at DAP Headquarters here yesterday.
Yii added that it has been proven by the time after the Sheraton Move where PN and even now when UMNO/BN ran the country, not only our international Corruption Perception Index (CPI) turned worse but also, they had shown little idea on how to handle the then COVID-19 pandemic especially in the beginning of their reigns and now incompetent to handle current economic crisis.
“Malaysia had the highest death per capita in Asia due to COVID-19 and all these could have been avoided if there were stronger and more evidence-based leadership in government at that time.
“On top of that, UMNO and PN led governments in their respective reigns, imposed multiple ineffective lockdown which has jeopardised the income of the people and instead of helping them through these tough times, the UMNO/BN government forces the people to dig into their own EPF savings in order to survive and jeopardising their long-term future.
“This has shown UMNO and PN governments do not seem to have a long term strategy to help the ‘rakyat’.
Yii opened up that this is in contrast to what PH have done during their 22-month reign where they put forth a comprehensive good governance and anti-corruption foundation which was recognised internationally, including the biggest improvement of our CPI Index and highest position in 27 years in history of our country.
“All these indexes are main considerations for investors and that is why the fundamental choice is to choose a competent government and their commitment to good governance.
“So, GPS’ narrative of ‘choosing merely stability’ is flawed as it is not beneficial to Sarawak because if the choice is a corrupt government, how can it be good for Sarawak?
“If the choice is an extreme government who brings up racial issue, how can it be beneficial for us (in Sarawak)?
“And if the choice is an incompetent government, how can it be good for Sarawakians?” Yii asked.
Yii concluded by saying that what is really beneficial for Sarawak is a government that builds on good governance, anti-corruption, led by competent leaders and a recognition of the multicultural and pluralistic society Malaysia is which is fundamental to what Pakatan Harapan is fighting for.
