KUCHING: Sarawak DAP should explain the status of its 2018 election promises and what it has achieved for Sarawak through its political influence at the federal level, says Kuching South City Council (MBKS) councillor Eric Tay.
He said voters had the right to examine a party’s previous commitments before deciding whether to give it greater representation or a stronger role in providing checks and balances in the upcoming Sarawak election.
“If a political party is asking the people today to give it greater powers of oversight, do the people not also have the right to first examine the party’s past promises and ask how much it actually pushed for and achieved after gaining real political influence?”
Tay pointed to several commitments made by DAP in Sarawak during the 2018 General Election, including allowing Sarawak to retain 50 per cent of taxes collected in the state and seeking a 20 per cent oil and gas royalty or an equivalent value.
He said the commitments also covered greater autonomy for Sarawak in education, healthcare, finance and oil and gas matters.
“Eight years have passed. The people naturally have the right to ask: Has the 50 per cent tax revenue sharing been implemented? Has the 20 per cent oil and gas entitlement been implemented in accordance with the target or equivalent value promised at the time? And to what extent have education and healthcare autonomy been achieved?”
Tay stressed that such questions should not be dismissed as political attacks, but regarded as part of the accountability voters could demand from political parties.
He said DAP’s present position also allowed voters to assess its performance at both state and federal levels, as the party sits in opposition in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly while being part of the federal unity government.
“On one hand, DAP plays the role of an opposition party in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly and emphasises the need for stronger checks and balances.
“On the other hand, DAP also has substantial political influence at the federal level. After all, DAP has 40 Members of Parliament, nearly twice the number held by GPS.”
Tay said voters could therefore ask whether the party had fully used its federal influence to advance the Sarawak-related commitments it previously advocated.
At the same time, he said political discussions should be based on facts and acknowledged progress made by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), oil and gas rights and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros).
He called on Sarawak DAP to explain which previous promises had been fulfilled, remained in progress or were outstanding.
“The people do not simply want to hear political slogans. They want clear answers.”
Tay added that accountability should apply equally to the Sarawak government, federal government and opposition.
“Accountability is not a report card that you can simply hand to others. It is a mirror that you must also be willing to hold up to yourself.”
