Kota Sentosa rep calls for maturity amid Pending rep’s ‘melodrama’, ‘theatrics’ in Sarawak Assembly

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, May 22: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap today called for maturity over melodrama in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, as he took aim at what he described as theatrical and irresponsible criticisms from Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.

Participating in the motion of appreciation on TYT’s address during the DUNS sitting, Yap voiced his disappointment with Yong’s approach, which he said prioritises drama over constructive debate.

“I must express my disappointment with the Member for Pending and the manner in which she always chooses to dramatise her concerns in this august House. While it is every member’s right to raise issues, it must be done with decorum and a sense of responsibility,” he said.

He specifically criticised Yong for using the delayed Baleh Dam project to make sweeping insinuations about the Sarawak government, public servants, and government-linked companies.

“Her theatrics… do a disservice to the facts and the spirit of constructive debate. It is easy to stand up and point fingers. It is much harder to appreciate the complexities of governance, particularly when it comes to the delivery of infrastructure, economic, and social development in a state as vast and diverse as Sarawak,” he asserted.

Yap defended Sarawak’s performance, pointing to significant progress across sectors including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, rural development, and education reform.

“These are not hypothetical achievements; they are tangible improvements felt by the rakyat on the ground,” he stressed.

He added that delays in megaprojects like the Baleh Dam often stem from federal-level bureaucracy and other complex challenges, and should not be used to cast aspersions without proper context.

“To suggest, without nuance or evidence, that late delivery equates to incompetence reflects a shallow understanding of policy execution. It is misleading — and frankly, irresponsible,” he said.

Yap urged Yong to focus on honest, intelligent discourse and to contribute meaningfully to policy solutions instead of engaging in political performances aimed at grabbing headlines.

“What we need in this House is maturity, not melodrama. I urge the Member of Pending to rise above showmanship and contribute meaningfully to solutions rather than casting aspersions from the sidelines,” he emphasised.

Citing economic performance figures to contrast governance outcomes between Sarawak and Penang, Yap noted that under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership, Sarawak’s revenue grew from RM6.9 billion in 2017 to RM14.2 billion in 2024.

In comparison, Penang, under Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) administration, recorded a more modest increase from RM697.41 million to RM810.46 million over the same period.

“These figures highlight a stark contrast in governance outcomes. While Penang’s DAP-led government continues to focus on rhetoric and political posturing, Sarawak’s GPS-led government works diligently to deliver tangible economic results. Competence, ultimately, is measured not by words, but by proven performance in managing State resources and expanding fiscal capacity,” he said. — DayakDaily

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