Pending assemblyman Violet Yong said the GPS-led state government was punishing residents in opposition areas by withholding allocations needed for basic services and small-scale projects.
“I have raised this issue twice at the state assembly and to Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg,” Yong told FMT, adding that the rights of Sarawakians living in opposition constituencies must be respected.
“There are 82 state seats, and only two are held by the opposition. But we don’t get a sen to serve our people. For me, it is very unfair for the state to treat the people this way.”
Sarawak is governed by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), a coalition comprising PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP that broke away from Barisan Nasional after the 2018 general election.
GPS won the 2021 state polls by a landslide, winning 76 of the 82 seats on offer. Since then, four opposition members have either joined the ruling coalition or become friendly with the state government, leaving just two DAP assemblymen in opposition.
Yong said the discrimination against opposition-held constituencies reflects a disregard for voters’ democratic choices.
“They thought that by discriminating against the rakyat in opposition areas they could regain support. But this is not the attitude of a state that respects democracy and the role of the opposition,” she said.
She said that ideally, opposition lawmakers should secure equal funding as government assemblymen, but at the very least, they should be given a “decent amount that is sufficient” to serve their constituencies.
“What we are asking for is an allocation for the people to carry out small projects, to give out funds to associations to run or for operating costs,” she said.
“In West Malaysia, they give allocations to the opposition, even if the amount is smaller. At least the government recognises the role of the opposition.”
Yong accused the GPS government of lacking political will to strengthen democratic institutions in Sarawak.
“The state government is arrogant. That’s the attitude of GPS. There is no political will to improve democracy. They try to get rid of the opposition and if possible, they would love to see zero opposition in Sarawak,” she said.
Despite the lack of funding, the four-term assemblyman does her best to assist her constituents in Pending, an urban seat within Bandar Kuching.
“If there are infrastructure issues, I pull up their request and channel it to the utility boards, Sarawak Energy Berhad, and Kuching Water Board, and others,” she said.
“Because my area is Bandar Kuching, I get help from (Bandar Kuching MP) Dr Kelvin Yii. If there are sick or handicapped applicants that need help, I seek assistance from Kelvin.”
A recent case saw Yong secure RM50,000 in aid for her former school, SK Kenyalang, from deputy education minister Wong Kah Woh in April to repair its leaking roof.
Despite the lack of resources, Yong was confident DAP can retain and expand its support in Sarawak.
She said voters appreciate the party’s role in opposition as a check-and-balance to the GPS coalition.