Bintulu: DAP Sarawak Bintulu branch chairman Chiew Chan Yew has called on the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) to clearly explain to the public the full details of a RM1 million donation it received from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Chiew said that as a component party of the Sarawak ruling coalition, SUPP has a political responsibility to be transparent and accountable, rather than responding to public queries with what he described as avoidance, silence, or vague statements.
He stressed that the public has a right to know the facts surrounding the donation.
According to Chiew, the contribution was not an ordinary political donation, as it came from a former prime minister who was later convicted and jailed for financial crimes.
He noted that the source of Najib’s funds has long been disputed and has been described in public discourse as originating from a “kleptocratic era.”
“Because of this, SUPP, as the recipient of these funds, must be held to a higher standard of accountability and transparency,” he said in a statement.
Chiew said that SUPP must clearly state whether the donation was linked to any matters involving the Sarawak government, whether there was any exchange of benefits, and whether it influenced political positions or policy directions.
He also asked whether the RM1 million had been properly recorded in accordance with the law and subjected to audit.
He said that by accepting funds from a political figure later convicted of financial crimes, SUPP has a duty to fully disclose the entire donation process and explain how the money was used.
“If everything was done above board, SUPP should proactively disclose the relevant accounts and fund flows and allow the facts to speak for themselves,” he said, adding that continued silence or diversion would only deepen public suspicion, particularly given the large sum involved.
Chiew also pointed out that SUPP not only accepted the donation but also, at the time, publicly praised Najib as “the best performing prime minister ever,” which he said inevitably raises questions about possible political considerations or exchanges of benefits.
“This is a question SUPP must clearly explain to the people rather than brushing it aside,” he said.
He further noted that SUPP has been in power for nearly 60 years and has long benefited from governing resources, arguing that it should therefore willingly submit itself to public scrutiny.
Chiew concluded that the issue has gone beyond a simple political donation and has become a test of SUPP’s integrity.
He warned that continued ambiguity or avoidance would further weaken public confidence in SUPP and the credibility of the Sarawak ruling coalition.
