Kuching: The suspension of ADUN for Padungan, Chong Chieng Jen, from the remaining Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting sessions has raised serious concerns about the GPS government’s approach to opposition scrutiny, with DAPSY Sarawak Secretary George Lam warning that the move undermines democratic accountability and weakens checks and balances in the state.
Lam criticised the motion, which was passed in Chong’s absence, denying the assemblyman the opportunity to defend himself in the Assembly.
He said the decision demonstrated how GPS could use its overwhelming majority to suppress opposition voices rather than address questions about government accountability.
The motion followed Chong’s questions about the Sarawak government’s aircraft leasing arrangement through Hornbill Skyways for senior government officials.
Chong had raised concerns about the unusually rapid quotation and contract-awarding process, the government’s role in the arrangement, the speed of payments and a reported profit margin of up to 188%.
“These are legitimate questions involving public funds that deserve clear answers from the relevant ministers, not a motion to remove an opposition representative from the Assembly,” Lam said.
He questioned why the GPS government had chosen to move against Chong rather than respond with facts and figures, arguing that the decision raised further concerns about whether the government was avoiding scrutiny of controversial public expenditure.
Lam stressed that the suspension had implications beyond one assemblyman. As Chong was one of only two opposition representatives in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, his exclusion from the remaining sessions would further weaken the opposition’s ability to scrutinise government decisions, challenge public spending and speak up for the people.
He warned that the Assembly risked becoming a one-sided chamber if opposition voices could be silenced whenever their questions became inconvenient to the ruling coalition.
“An overwhelming majority must not become a licence to govern without effective scrutiny. Checks and balances are not obstacles to development; they are essential safeguards against the abuse of power and the misuse of public funds,” he said.
Ahead of the upcoming state election, he urged Sarawakians to consider the importance of effective opposition representation in safeguarding democratic accountability and ensuring that the state government remained answerable to the public.
He called on voters to support DAP Rocket candidates, arguing that a stronger opposition was necessary to challenge government decisions, demand answers, and protect public funds.
“If we want stronger checks and balances, we must elect more representatives who dare to speak up, challenge the government, and hold those in power accountable. Sarawak’s future should not be determined by a government majority without effective scrutiny.
“Our votes do not merely determine who governs Sarawak; they determine whether the government is held accountable,” Lam said.
