Kuching: ADUN for Pending Violet Yong has criticised Sarawak Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian over remarks calling for DAP to be reduced to “zero seats,” saying his position reflects political inconsistency and risks undermining democratic principles in Sarawak.
Yong said Dr Sim appeared focused on eliminating DAP from the political landscape while remaining silent on what she described as the growing influence of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) at the national level.
“PAS has repeatedly been associated with hardline and extremist positions that are at odds with Sarawak’s long-standing values of moderation, diversity, and religious harmony.
“This silence is not neutral but sends a dangerous signal. It raises serious concerns that Sarawak GPS is prepared to accommodate or work alongside such extremist tendencies for political convenience. This is not a trivial matter. It goes to the core of Sarawak’s identity and future,” she said.
Yong stressed that if GPS is confident in its performance, then the democratic process should be respected by allowing the people to decide freely.
“Not through fear campaigns, not through slogans, and certainly not by attempting to silence alternative voices. Sarawak deserves far better than politics reduced to ‘telur’,” she said.
She added that Dr. Sim’s call to give DAP “zero seats” is not only politically arrogant, but it is also deeply irresponsible.
“For such a statement to come from a Deputy Premier is frankly very low class. The office he holds demands a higher standard of leadership, maturity, and respect for democratic values, not cheap slogans meant to provoke and divide.
“His ‘kasi DAP telur’ remark is also an insult to the intelligence of the people. It is in essence a direct affront to voters’ wisdom and their ability to make thoughtful, independent choices,” she said.
She said there is also a need to remind Dr. Sim not to be overly arrogant, as in the last election several SUPP victories did not come from overwhelming support but from split votes, and at least one seat was won by a razor-thin margin.
“These are not mandates that justify arrogance but reminders of how fragile electoral outcomes can be.
“Dr Sim should also reflect on his own party’s history. Political arrogance has never ended well, and history has shown that it often leads to decline and rejection by the people,” she said.
Yong emphasised that reducing democracy to such slogans reflects a troubling disregard for voters.
“Elections exist to ensure accountability and checks and balances, not to eliminate opposition voices simply because they are inconvenient. A government without opposition is not strong; it is unchecked power.
“History has repeatedly shown that absolute power corrupts absolutely, which is precisely why a functioning democracy must always have a strong opposition,” she said.
Commenting on Dr. Sim’s reference to Sabah, where DAP did not win any seats in the previous election, she said the situation there should not be used to justify weakening opposition voices in Sarawak.
“The absence of a strong opposition weakens scrutiny, reduces transparency, and ultimately harms governance. More importantly, Sarawakians do not need to follow Sabah.
“The people here are fully capable of deciding who should represent them based on service, track record, and credibility, not by importing political narratives from elsewhere,” she said.
