KUCHING – MPs are often seen engaged in aggressive debates in the august house, but rarely in the streets and in full view of the public.
But an unscheduled verbal spat occurred between Stampin incumbent, DAP’s Chong Chieng Jen, and his challenger from Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Lo Khere Chiang, during a fire incident.
A fire had broken out at a shophouse located at 3rd Mile, Maong Bazaar. But when firemen arrived, they were unable to find a hydrant to put out the fire in time.
It was later discovered that the hydrant was buried deep in the ground due to road upgrading works in the area. Both candidates who were at the scene then started blaming each other for the delay in putting out the fire.
Chong berated Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council chairman, for failing to carry out proper maintenance work in the area which comes under the council’s jurisdiction. The DAP man said this was despite the council receiving many public complaints over the maintenance of hydrants in the area.
Lo shot back, accusing Chong of being ignorant of the problem and failing to raise the issue despite his three terms as MP for Bandar Kuching and one term for Stampin.
A video clip of the altercation between the duo lasting around 14 seconds has since gone viral on social media. In the clip, both men were seen struggling to keep their cool.
Both candidates also continued blaming each other over the missing hydrant in separate press conferences.
Lo told reporters that matters pertaining to fire hydrants were under the jurisdiction of the Fire and Rescue Department – which is under the federal government.
Chong accused Lo of not having the slightest clue about the role of an MP.
“This is what I observed from my brief encounter with Lo yesterday. It is obvious that he does not have the slightest idea of what it is to be an MP. I would like to invite him to a debate or even attend a short course on… the roles of an MP.”
Chong also said he was willing to sit down with and explain to Lo the responsibilities of an elected MP.
Meanwhile, social activist Voon Shiak Ni has chided both Chong and Lo for quarrelling in public.
She said the heated altercation turned the fire incident into a political publicity stunt and was unbecoming of leaders in the community.
“It is a shame that politicians made a scene at the site of a fire,” she said in a statement to the media.
She said both men should put their party stripes aside, refrain from blaming the other, and avoid turning the scene of the fire into a campaign ground.
In the fire, the third floor of the building was completely destroyed and the second floor hosting a snooker centre was 50% burnt, while a coffee shop on the ground floor was not affected.
According to the Fire Department, only one person suffered 30% burns on his body and was sent to hospital. – The Vibes, November 11, 2022
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