Kuching: Political fault lines within Sarawak have widened following criticism by the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) over the appointment of DAP Sarawak Vice Chairman and Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol as Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports.
Responding to SUPP’s stance, DAP Sarawak Green Road Branch Deputy Secretary Chong Hong Hien pointed out that what makes this situation particularly puzzling is SUPP’s long-standing rhetoric of “strengthening Sarawak’s representation.”
“Yet, when the Prime Minister has in fact taken concrete steps to enhance Sarawakian representation within the federal administrative system, SUPP chose to criticise the move merely because its own leaders were not appointed – an obvious contradiction in stance.
“As the Mas Gading MP, Mordi’s appointment not only symbolises greater Sarawakian participation at the core of federal decision-making, but also represents the inclusion of Sarawak’s minority communities – particularly the indigenous communities of his constituency – into the national policy-making process,” Chong said.
He said that is something all Sarawakians should welcome and take pride in. It is therefore unsurprising that all component parties of GPS, except SUPP, have embraced and even publicly congratulated Mordi on his appointment.
“Admittedly, factional differences exist within all political parties, and such differences usually arise from a shared objective but divergent approaches.
“However, the conflict between SUPP and GPS in this instance is not one of strategy or implementation, but rather reflects a fundamental divergence in goals and political principles,” he said.
Chong said GPS has adopted a clear and consistent position that any move to strengthen Sarawak’s representation at the federal level should be supported, even if that representation comes from DAP Sarawak or other non-GPS parties.
“In contrast, SUPP’s attitude borders on a ‘sour grapes’ mentality. Since it was not part of the appointment, it seeks to undermine and criticise others – even when those appointed are fellow Sarawakians from DAP,” Chong said in a statement.
Chong remarked that such a mindset is not only narrow-minded but also exposes SUPP’s tendency to place party interests above the broader interests of Sarawak.
“It further underscores that, at a fundamental level, GPS does not share SUPP’s approach of blurring the line between party interests and public governance.
The gist of SUPP’s argument is that the absence of additional GPS ministerial posts in the recent cabinet reshuffle means Sarawak has “lost out.” Yet one must ask: are Mordi of DAP and Chiew Choon Man of PKR not Sarawakians? Or, in SUPP’s worldview, are only voters who support SUPP considered Sarawakians?” Chong questioned.
Chong urged SUPP not to allow its political hostility toward DAP Sarawak to blind it to the broader significance of Mordi’s appointment as Deputy Minister for Sarawak as a whole, for his constituency, and for the wider indigenous communities of the state.
