KUCHING: The recent remarks by Sentosa Assemblyman, Wilfred Yap dismissing Chong Chieng Jen’s valid concerns on the proposed multibillion-ringgit international airport at Tanjung Embang once again show Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP)’s true colours as a party more interested in cheerleading for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) than in genuinely scrutinising public expenditure or looking after the people’s interests, said Michael Kong, Special Assistant to MP Stampin.
Instead of engaging meaningfully with the issues raised, he said Yap chose to attack. This reflects the typical conduct of SUPP: they cheer every proposal from GPS but are quick to criticise whenever DAP Sarawak raises questions.
“DAP Sarawak is not against development that benefits the people and brings prosperity to Sarawak. What YB Chong Chieng Jen questioned was the cost, location, and long-term implications of relocating Kuching International Airport to Tanjung Embang — a site that could force travellers to travel up to two hours, depending on traffic and distance, just to catch a flight. This means passengers may need to leave their homes at least three hours ahead of time, which is entirely unreasonable for Kuching”, Kong explained.
He added that Sarawak must take a lesson from places like Kuala Lumpur, where traffic congestion alone was estimated to cost the country RM20 billion in 2020 factoring in lost productivity, fuel wastage, and health-related costs from pollution.
Kong stressed that DAP is not opposing for the sake of opposing. Unlike SUPP, we are offering practical and people-centred alternatives. One such alternative is the relocation of the Air Force base next to the existing airport. This would unlock valuable land for airport expansion and allow improvements to be made to existing facilities.
Expanding Kuching International Airport, he said where it stands would be far more cost-effective than building a brand new facility from scratch. It would also generate greater economic opportunities for surrounding areas like 7 Mile, Jalan Sungai Tapang, and Stampin Resettlement Scheme. At the same time, Tanjung Embang could be developed into a sustainable ecotourism destination to complement Muara Tebas and Asajaya.
He pointed out that rather than blindly supporting every billion-ringgit project proposed by GPS, Yap and SUPP should be asking the difficult but necessary questions. If they are unwilling or unable to do so, then DAP Sarawak will continue to be the voice of reason, accountability, and responsibility in the face of unchecked spending.
By Connie Chieng