Kuching: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has called on political leaders to engage in honest and constructive discourse, warning that mischaracterising policy improvements as “last-minute U-turns” only undermines public understanding and confidence.
This comes after remarks by Kho Teck Wan, the political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, who criticised the Federal Government for revising the mandatory e-invoicing threshold shortly before implementation.
In a firm response, Soo Tien Ren, Special Assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, said that adapting policies in response to public feedback is a hallmark of responsible governance, not a flaw.
“True political maturity lies in respecting public feedback, adapting when necessary, and always putting the people first,” Soo said.
He stressed that in a democratic society, good governance is not about stubbornly implementing a first draft, but about having the courage to adjust policies based on public consultation.
“Compared to a government that ignores the people’s voices, one that responds promptly and compassionately to public concerns is far more responsible and people-centric.
“We believe that those who benefit from the revised threshold, namely thousands of micro-entrepreneurs who are now exempted, will not object to the government making changes in their favour.
“On the contrary, such responsiveness reinforces public trust and confidence in a government that listens and adapts,” he said.
Soo added that DAP has always upheld the principle that government policies must prioritise the people’s welfare.
“It is precisely on this basis that the Federal Government decided to raise the mandatory e-invoicing threshold to RM500,000 in annual turnover, a move aimed at alleviating the administrative burden on micro and small businesses,” he concluded.
