KUCHING: DAPSY Sarawak has responded to a recent press statement by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairman, Cr Tan Kai, defending the council’s role in addressing infrastructure issues at Lot 895, Jalan Kung Phin.
DAPSY Sarawak Organising Secretary Chin Fang Chi raised several concerns, describing the chairman’s remarks as contradictory and politically motivated, particularly in relation to comments made by Michael Kong, Special Assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen.
Chin questioned why MPP, which is funded by annual assessment rates and empowered under local government laws, appeared unwilling to act on infrastructure complaints while suggesting the matter should fall solely under the responsibility of the MP.
“If parliamentary allocations can be used to address local road issues, why can’t MPP funded by Ratepayers do the same? It’s inconsistent and unfair to push responsibility entirely to the MP while MPP steps aside,” Chin said.
He also cited previous cases where MPP had upgraded so-called “private roads,” pointing to what he described as selective enforcement.
Chin criticised the chairman’s emphasis on projects carried out in GPS-held constituencies such as Batu Kitang and Batu Kawa, saying it reinforced the public’s perception of political bias in the council’s priorities.
“When MPP becomes passive or rigid in opposition-held areas, it sends a clear message: public interest is secondary to political loyalty,” Chin added.
He also clarified that the RM4.2 million in annual parliamentary allocations mentioned by Cr. Tan are bound by federal guidelines, requiring technical vetting and implementation by local councils. He dismissed the claim that the MP had “refused” to use RM10 million for roads as misleading.
“No matter how committed an MP is, infrastructure works cannot be implemented without the cooperation of the local authority,” he explained.
At the heart of the issue, Chin stressed, are the residents of Jalan Kung Phin who still face poor road access and substandard infrastructure. He called on MPP to stop engaging in political blame games and instead take concrete steps to work with landowners, explore state or federal mechanisms, and find solutions to serve the people.
By Connie Chieng