Speaking to reporters after submitting his nomination papers for the Padungan seat, Chong accused Abang Johari, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief, of extravagance, citing the depletion of the state’s reserves.

He said that before Abang Johari’s appointment, Sarawak’s reserves stood at RM30 billion. At the end of 2019, the state’s reserves dropped to RM23.9 billion.

“In a short span of six years, the reserves depleted by RM6 billion. That was before Covid-19,” he said.

He said this was why Sarawak needed good governance, financial planning as well checks and balances in the government and state assembly.

Chong also took a veiled jab at the many opposition parties contesting, saying he hoped the people would back credible opposition parties.

On the push for independence by some parties, he said independence without good governance could be disastrous and it may not be beneficial for Sarawak at this stage.

He said although DAP, PKR and Amanah were contesting under their own flags and had their respective manifestos, their election promises centred around the theme of good governance.

On PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s comments that the party was given unfavourable seats in negotiations with its PH allies, Chong said it was not possible to please everyone.

“In negotiations, there are parties that will not be happy. I think there are seats that are winnable and seats that are not that winnable.

“I don’t think that is a problem. I don’t think it will be a deterrent to cooperation between PH parties.”

Chong is defending the Padungan seat for DAP in a four-way contest against Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) Wee Hong Seng, Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s Raymond Thong and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak’s Lina Soo.