KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor, Datuk Wee Hong Seng, has strongly refuted allegations by George Lam of DAP Socialist Youth Sarawak (DAPSY), describing the claims of inaction against illegal moneylending and gambling activities as “baseless, misleading, and malicious”.
Wee emphasised that MBKS has always prioritised the safety and interests of the public, working diligently and often behind the scenes in collaboration with enforcement authorities.
“MBKS does not operate for show. We do not chase headlines. We work quietly, diligently, and without fanfare, always with the safety and interest of the people in mind,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Wee said that just last month, MBKS engaged directly with the Kuching District Police chief and officers from Bukit Aman’s Special Branch to strengthen enforcement coordination.
He added that as part of its standard practice, MBKS has also been compiling telephone numbers from illegal moneylending advertisements removed from public spaces.
These numbers have been handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for further action.
According to him, Lam’s public accusations were made without proper fact-checking.
“Instead, he took a Nelsonian approach and issued public statements without verifying the facts, turning a matter of public safety into a political spectacle,” Wee said.
He further pointed out that enforcement against illegal moneylending and gambling falls primarily under federal jurisdiction.
“Don’t shift the blame to local councils who are already doing the heavy lifting on the ground,” Wee said.
Wee defended MBKS officers, saying they have been working tirelessly to remove thousands of illegal banners and posters, often under challenging conditions.
Wee said that MBKS remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the community.
“We love this city, and we are here to protect it, with or without media praise. What Sarawak needs now is unity of purpose, not empty noise,” he concluded.
