MIRI – Former deputy chief minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has denied allegations he received lucrative kickbacks from big development projects in the state.
The Bukit Saban incumbent, who is defending the seat as GPS candidate, blames the opposition for attacking him and his aide.
“The opposition has been going around spreading lies that me and my aide are getting financial benefits from big development projects in the state.
“They also accused me of cronyism, of approving big projects to certain people. They also accused me of being responsible for the lack of development.
“These are all lies and insinuations against me,” he said in a statement.
Uggah, who is deputy president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, said his supporters know him better.
“My supporters who have known me for a long time will not be easily fooled.”
This is the second time this week that Uggah had gone public to deny allegations of power abuse levelled against him, as Sarawak is in the thick of an election campaign period.
On December 3, he also issued a statement denying that he was responsible for awarding huge infrastructure contracts to certain groups.
Similarly, he blamed the opposition for spreading rumours.
Uggah will be defending the Bukit Saban seat against Sarawak PKR candidate Matthew Abdullah and Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s Andria Dundang.
Sarawak heads to the polls on December 18, with early voting on December 14. – The Vibes, December 11, 2021
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