Kuching: In respect of the controversy surrounding Amy Tnay’s capacity in attending the “Global Mayors Dialogue” in Huangshan, China, I am of the view that Amy Tnay must provide the public with a clear, complete and direct explanation.
Recently, some netizens claimed that Amy Tnay had produced documents to prove her position as a board member. However, based on what is presently seen, her personal profile appears to have been amended from “Sarawak Water Board Director” to “Board Member of KWB (01/09/2024 – 31/05/2026)”.
At the same time, Amy Tnay had also commented under a media post that her appointment letter states the term as “01/09/2024 – 31/08/2026”.
This raises even more questions.
The key issue is not whether Amy Tnay had previously been appointed as a board member of the Kuching Water Board (“KWB”). The real issue is this: when she attended the “Global Mayors Dialogue” in Huangshan, China in 2026, did the Kuching Water Board still exist? Could she still validly attend the said international conference under the capacity of a Kuching Water Board board member?
It is well known that the Kuching Water Board has already been dissolved in August 2025, and its functions have been absorbed under Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd. In other words, even if the original appointment letter stated that the term had not yet expired, once the relevant body has been dissolved, the validity of that position must be clearly explained.
This is similar to a company that has ceased operations or no longer exists. Even if an employee’s contract was originally supposed to run until a later date, that employee cannot continue to represent himself or herself to the public as a current employee of that company.
By the same logic, if the Kuching Water Board no longer exists, Amy Tnay has the responsibility to explain how she could still attend an international conference in 2026 under the capacity of a Kuching Water Board board member.
More importantly, Amy Tnay must also clearly state whether she is currently a board member of Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd.
Based on the board of directors currently published on the official website of Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd, Amy Tnay’s name does not appear on the list. The list is attached hereinbelow:
YB Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar Bin Marzuki — Chairman
Yang Arif Dato Sri Saferi Bin Ali — Board Member
YBhg. Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman Bin Wan Omar — Board Member
YBhg. Datu Hasmawati Binti Sapawi — Board Member
YBhg. Datu Haji Abdullah Bin Julaihi — Board Member
YBhg. Datu Jafri Bin Lias — Board Member
YBhg. Datu Elizabeth Loh — Board Member
YBhg. Datu Jack Anak Liam — Board Member
Dr. Veronica Lugah — Board Member
Therefore, the public has every reason to ask her to clarify the following:
First, is she currently a board member of Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd?
Second, what was the official capacity used by her when attending the “World Mayors Dialogue” in Huangshan?
Third, if she used the capacity of a Kuching Water Board board member, is that capacity still valid after the dissolution of the Kuching Water Board?
Fourth, did she obtain any formal authorisation from Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd to represent Kuching or any official institution at the said conference?
I wish to emphasise that if Amy Tnay attended the international event in her personal capacity, as a political figure, or as a former board member of the Kuching Water Board, there is nothing wrong with that. I fully support Sarawakians going onto the international stage and allowing the world to see Sarawak.
However, public titles must be accurate, and official authorisation must be clear. This is especially important when the capacity used involves public institutions, government agencies, or international conferences. There should be no ambiguity.
If the invitation letter from the Chinese organiser was issued before the Kuching Water Board was dissolved, Amy Tnay may publish the said letter to show the source and background of the invitation.
If the organiser had merely relied on outdated information, she may also explain the same honestly.
If there was an error in the description of her capacity, she should openly acknowledge it and make the necessary correction.
Admitting a mistake is not difficult.
What truly matters is that the public has the right to know: whom did she represent when attending the said international conference? Was the capacity used by her true, accurate and still valid? Was there any official authorisation involved?
Amending a Facebook personal profile does not amount to a full answer to all these questions.
Amy Tnay should respond directly instead of evading the real issue.
Soo Tien Ren
DAPSY Sarawak Deputy Chief
10 June 2026
