Kuching: Sarawak DAP Chairman and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen emphasised that while technology continues to reshape the political landscape, the essence of political work – serving the people remains unchanged.
Speaking at the Kuching DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Annual General Meeting, Chong reminisced about the challenging early days of forming DAPSY Sarawak in the late 1990s.
Alongside a small group of passionate comrades, he helped lay the foundation for the youth wing despite having no official structure at the time.
“I joined the Democratic Action Party around 1997–1998, and DAPSY Sarawak was born from casual discussions over coffee with Lim Kit Siang after an event in Bintulu,” he said.
He shared a vivid picture of pre-digital-era political work: press releases drafted by hand, Chinese character input systems like “Chinese Star” frequently crashing, and physical photo deliveries to newspaper offices.
“There was no email, no smartphones. Every step was manual,” he recalled.
Today’s digital tools have revolutionised political communication, making it faster and more efficient.
However, Chong warned of the rise of misinformation and fake news, which now pose new challenges to public trust and political integrity.
“Technology is a double-edged sword. While it helps us reach people faster, it also makes it harder for the public to distinguish between real and fake information,” he cautioned.
Chong stressed that technology should not distract politicians from their core mission to advocate for public welfare and hold governments accountable.
“Good policies must be implemented well. Otherwise, they risk burdening the very people they’re meant to help,” he said.
For example, he cited the government’s push for e-invoicing, which aims to combat money laundering and smuggling. While the intent is positive, he warned that without proper implementation, it could have an adverse effect on SMEs and small business owners.
Chong urged the younger generation of DAPSY members to stay grounded in their values and remember why they joined the struggle in the first place: “We must always return to our roots – serving the people.”
