MIRI – Sarawak DAP is against Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) fast-tracking a budget meeting tomorrow in order to push for the 12th state election next month.
State DAP representatives instead want a chance to debate and scrutinise the budget tabled by the ruling coalition, said Tg Batu assemblyman Chiew Chin Sing.
“Yes, we in Sarawak DAP have gathered information from the ground that GPS will call for the 12th state election next month.
“Tomorrow, GPS is holding the budget meeting at a convention centre in Kuching instead of inside the state legislative assembly complex.
“This venue may not allow the opposition a chance to have a proper debate on the GPS budget.
“We will protest if GPS wants to rush through with the budget,” Chiew said.
Chiew – DAP’s most senior assemblyman in Sarawak – is also a former state DAP deputy chairman.
Asked if the move by GPS to hold a budget session outside the state legislative assembly complex is legally wrong, Chiew said he is unsure – but insists it is a matter of great concern.
“It is definitely not a usual thing since the budget is normally tabled in the state assembly for proper debate by all assembly representatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, asked if a date has been set for the state election, Chiew said all signs point to GPS’ intention to have the polls concluded by end-November.
“That is a scary scenario if the Covid-19 crisis in our state is still so serious,” he added.
GPS controls 68 of the 82 state constituencies in Sarawak.
The term of the current state government expired on June 6 and it was supposed to be automatically dissolved on June 7.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong declared a localised emergency in Sarawak until February next year. – The Vibes, October 11, 2021
