MIRI – Ruling state coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has been accused of going on a vendetta against longhouse leaders who did not support the party during last month’s state election.
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru president Bobby Williams has criticised Assistant State Minister (Education, Innovation and Talent Development) Datuk Francis Harden for allegedly making threats to withhold salaries and allowances for opposing chiefs.
Williams said today that Harden allegedly brought it up at the Sri Aman Iban Community Leaders Association gathering yesterday that it is absurd for those community leaders to still get their monthly pay from the GPS state government.
“This is going to be an act of victimisation by GPS that has political vindictiveness against others. After having won big in the state elections using whatever means possible, GPS is now targeting those who did not support them.
“This smacks of the attitude of politically autocratic rulers with absolute authority. GPS has no right to deny community chiefs their allowances and salaries.
“This money comes from government coffers, which come from taxpayers,” he said in a statement.
Williams said in a society that adheres to healthy democratic practises, opposing views are the rights of the citizens. – The Vibes, January 25, 2022
