MIRI – Former deputy chief minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas has denied involvement in awarding lucrative government contracts to certain contractors.
The Bukit Saban incumbent said the opposition are hurling accusations ahead of the Sarawak election and are motivated by politics.
In a statement issued to the press after attending a function in Betong town, he said: “I do not personally choose who will get contracts for projects.
“It is the resident office or district office or government department heads that appoint contractors, not me.
“They decide on the contractors after following the tendering process. The accusations against me are made up by certain quarters in the opposition who are against me.
“They are going around saying I have a hand in giving out government projects.”
He said allegations bandied about during election periods are acts of desperation by the opposition.
Uggah is from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, the lynchpin of Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
The coalition’s other component parties are Sarawak United Peoples’ Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party.
Uggah is defending his Bukit Saban seat.
He is expected to be challenged by Sarawak PKR, Parti Sarawak Bersatu, Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak Baru and Parti Bumi Kenyalang. – The Vibes, December 2, 2021
