Kuching: DAP Sarawak Publicity Secretary Dr. Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen has stressed the importance of maintaining a credible and constructive opposition in both state and federal governance, saying it is vital for ensuring checks and balances in a democratic system.
“So it is never in the interest of Sarawak to have no opposition, no checks and balances, and as well no accountability in a democratic process. In fact, it can be said that zero opposition is detrimental and against the interest of Sarawak,” he said.
As a matter of fact, he strongly believes it is even more important that Sarawak has a stronger opposition now and that Sarawak is getting more resources from the federal government and taxes from our oil & gas resources.
“It is important that all the additional funds are properly scrutinised to ensure it directly benefit the people of Sarawak and do not enrich just a small group of elites.
“It is also important to keep the pressure against the government when they implement bad or unfair policies, or even for good policies, we must also keep them accountable so that all those policies announced are properly implemented, implemented on time, and reach directly to the people,” he said.
Dr. Kelvin Yii emphasised that this principle has long been upheld by DAP Sarawak, which has served as an opposition force in Sarawak for 48 years.
“We have been an opposition in Sarawak for already 48 years and have faced all kinds of political pressure from the State until today, not just on ourselves but also on the people around us.
“But we hold true to speak up for the people and keep the government accountable for the good of Sarawak and the benefit of the people of Sarawak,” he said.
Dr. Kelvin Yii, who is also the Bandar Kuching MP, said that the days when there was no opposition in Sarawak DUN were marked by rampant allegations of corruption, abuse of power, squandering of our resources, unfair practices, and even oppression.
“It was also during that era, when many laws were passed in Parliament that were detrimental to the interest of Sarawak, without the proper scrutiny of here, whether among the people or even in DUN.
“We cannot go back to those days when the government had unfettered powers without any proper accountability. Even as the performances of the government have improved and many good policies have been announced and implemented, that does not negate the necessity of a stronger check and balance,” he said.
