Sibu: The suspension of ADUN for Padungan Chong Chieng Jen and the removal of ADUN for Pending Violet Yong from the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly have dealt a serious blow to democracy and weakened checks and balances, said DAPSY Sarawak Vice Chief Irene Wong Lee Ting.
Wong, who is also the Sibu MP’s Special Assistant, said the consecutive incidents had effectively silenced all opposition voices for the remainder of this week’s Assembly sitting.
“The number of opposition representatives able to speak in the chamber has effectively fallen from two to zero. The ruling government has resorted to various measures to completely eliminate opposition voices from the Assembly. This situation is entirely unacceptable,” she said.
Yong was removed from the chamber yesterday following a heated exchange with Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, whom she described as a “political coward” and “petty” while responding to his criticism of Chong, who was absent due to his suspension.
Lee subsequently invoked the Assembly’s Standing Orders and demanded that Yong withdraw her remarks. However, Yong refused, maintaining that her comments were reasonable political commentary based on the facts and context. Speaker Tan Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar then instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out.
Wong said the incidents were particularly concerning as the Assembly was debating the Sarawak 2027 Budget, with Chong and Yong having questioned major government expenditures, including the proposed RM10 billion new international airport and a dedicated official aircraft for senior government officials.
She questioned why the GPS government, despite holding an overwhelming majority of 80 seats, could not tolerate the remaining two opposition representatives.
“On the eve of the budget vote involving tens of billions of ringgit in public funds, the complete silencing of the opposition has deprived the people of their right to know how public money is being spent and their right to hold the government accountable.
“When only one voice is allowed to be heard in the Assembly, billions of ringgit in Sarawak’s expenditure risk being approved without proper checks and balances,” she said.
Wong stressed that a healthy democracy, at both the national and state levels, requires strong checks and balances.
“YB Chong Chieng Jen was suspended for carrying out his duty to scrutinise government spending and question the issues surrounding a dedicated official aircraft for senior government officials and the multi-billion-ringgit airport project.
“Meanwhile, YB Violet Yong was expelled for defending the dignity of her colleague and refusing to bow to pressure from those in power,” she said.
Wong called on Sarawakians to recognise the importance of preserving democratic debate, stressing that the Assembly must remain a platform for diverse voices and accountability rather than one where only the government’s voice is heard.
