Sibu: In a direct rebuttal to recent accusations by the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Irene Wong, Special Assistant to Sibu MP Oscar Ling, reaffirmed the Sarawak Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) commitment to upholding democratic principles, asserting that the opposition plays a critical role in holding the government accountable.
SUPP had accused DAP of four so-called “major wrongdoings”, but Wong said the allegations reflect a misunderstanding of the opposition’s responsibilities and a disregard for the fundamental principles of democracy.
“In any democratic system, the existence of an opposition party is indispensable. The opposition has a duty to monitor the government, provide checks and balances, propose alternatives, and reflect the voice of the people.
“A healthy democracy must not be dominated solely by those in power; different perspectives are crucial to ensuring good governance and protecting the public interest,” she said in a statement.
Wong stressed that in every functioning democracy, a strong and active opposition is essential.
“Questioning the government and holding it accountable is not an act of sabotage – it’s how we help make the government better,” Wong stated.
She further explained that as the largest opposition party in Sarawak, DAP is responsible for:
- Scrutinize government policies
- Monitor the fair and transparent allocation of public resources
- Speak up for the people
SUPP’s legacy of power and the MA63 betrayal
Wong further added that as a component of the ruling coalition for more than 60 years, SUPP has been involved in historic decisions that have diminished Sarawak’s control over its resources and autonomy.
She highlighted two key moments:
- The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)
- The Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974)
“Should these decisions also be considered ‘betrayals of Sarawak’s interests’? Shouldn’t SUPP be held accountable and explain themselves to the people as well?” she questioned.
Empty slogans or tangible progress on Sarawak autonomy?
SUPP frequently proclaims its fight for Sarawak’s autonomy, Wong said but fails to show concrete progress.
“The opposition’s role in raising these questions is to ensure that the pursuit of autonomy is not reduced to empty slogans but genuinely benefits the people,” she said.
Unanswered questions on RM100 Million state travel expenses
A major issue that remains unresolved, Wong noted, is the RM100 million spent by the Sarawak government on official travel – a figure that drew concern during the recent State Assembly session.
“Who exactly is benefiting from this huge sum? What was it spent on? How many people were involved, and what were the outcomes? The question remains unanswered – we demand full transparency,” Wong insisted.
She contrasted this figure with the underdeveloped state of rural infrastructure, pointing to continued water shortages in rural communities, especially during festive seasons.
Transparency is not a threat – It’s a responsibility
Wong concluded by reaffirming DAP’s role as a watchdog and demanded that SUPP stop deflecting public attention with baseless accusations and instead face the people’s questions directly, uphold transparency and accountability, and truly serve the people of Sarawak.
“If a government is clean and responsible, why fear public scrutiny? Oversight is not disruption – it is one of the most crucial mechanisms that safeguard democracy,” she said.
