KUCHING: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has criticised a Democratic Action Party (DAP) legislator’s remarks linking Sarawak’s pursuit of greater environmental autonomy to the current haze situation.
He said such an argument failed to distinguish between jurisdiction, responsibility and outcomes, particularly regarding pollution sources and environmental matters beyond Sarawak’s control.
“Such an argument borders on political stupidity because it fundamentally confuses jurisdiction, responsibility and outcomes,” Yap said in a statement on Wednesday.
He questioned whether the DAP representative genuinely believed the Sarawak Government could control wind, weather or haze originating beyond the State’s borders.
“If Sarawak is expected to be fully responsible for environmental matters, then Sarawak must have the necessary legislative, regulatory and enforcement powers,” he said.
Yap stressed that greater autonomy should not be viewed as an attempt by Sarawak to avoid responsibility, but rather to strengthen its ability to act.
“I fully agree that greater autonomy must come with greater responsibility, action and accountability,” he said, while stressing that responsibility must be matched by authority.
He said Sarawak must distinguish between pollution originating within the State, transboundary haze, weather conditions and environmental matters falling under Federal jurisdiction.
“To simply lump everything under ‘Sarawak Government failure’ is neither intellectually honest nor befitting an experienced legislator,” Yap said.
He challenged DAP to clarify whether it supported Sarawak having greater environmental authority and the necessary powers to exercise such responsibility effectively.
“If the answer is yes, then why use the haze situation to ridicule Sarawak’s pursuit of greater autonomy?” he questioned.
Yap also asked DAP to explain why Sarawak should be held accountable for matters over which the State does not possess complete jurisdiction.
“If the answer is no, then DAP should explain why Sarawak should be held responsible for matters over which it does not have complete jurisdiction,” he said.
He maintained that Sarawak’s autonomy agenda was intended to empower the State to assume greater responsibility over matters affecting Sarawakians.
“Sarawak does not seek greater autonomy to escape responsibility. We seek greater authority precisely so that Sarawak can take greater responsibility for Sarawak,” he said.
Yap urged politicians to avoid reducing serious environmental concerns to political rhetoric, saying Sarawakians deserved a more substantive discussion.
“Please do not turn a serious environmental issue into a simplistic political slogan. Sarawakians deserve better than that,” he said.
