Kuching: DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen has called out the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, to respond to three pending questions he submitted for the November 2024 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
Chong, who submitted 10 questions on 28 October 2024, revealed that only seven have been answered.
“Three remain pending despite the lapse of more than six months. These three questions are pertinent and very relevant given that the State Government is embarking on major spending in the last few years,” said Chong in a statement.
The three unanswered questions, all of which concern the financial management of the Sarawak State Government, are:
1. Government’s investment in Affin Bank Berhad –
To ask the Honourable Premier to state the costs of increasing the Government’s holding in Affin Bank Berhad from the previous 4.81% to 31.25%, the price at which the shares were acquired from Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) and Boustead Holdings Berhad and its expected return on investment.
2. Losses from investment in Serba Dinamik Holdings Berhad – To ask the Honourable Premier to state the Government’s total investment amount in Serba Dinamik Holdings Berhad and, given that the company is now in liquidation, what is the total loss to the Government in the investment in the company.
3. Financial procedure for development expenditure and alternative funding – To ask the Honourable Premier to state the difference in terms of the source of funds, mechanism of approval, and financial procedure between the allocation under the development expenditure and the allocation under the alternative funding for the implementation of development projects.
Chong stressed that transparency and accountability are vital in financial management.
“Though we have increased our revenue tremendously, it does not mean we have limitless sources of funds.
“Premier must respect the institution, i.e. the DUN Sarawak whereby all ADUNs are entitled to answers from the administration,” he said.
He further asserted the Premier’s office for what he described as a show of “disrespect and disdain” towards the DUN institution.
“Answers are typically delivered and emailed to assembly members, but no response has been received for the outstanding questions.
“Such is the efficiency of the Premier’s office? That is absolutely not acceptable,” he said.
He noted with concern that the deadline for submitting questions for the upcoming DUN sitting, scheduled from 19 to 28 May 2025, is fast approaching, while last year’s questions remain unanswered.
In closing, Chong urged the Premier to deliver the answers to his queries without further delay.
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