You can’t be in the government and opposition at the same time, Soon Koh tells Sarawak DAP

By admin-s On Apr 12, 2024

All DAP leaders and elected representatives should resign from their positions in the federal and Sarawak administrations if they wish to fulfill their roles as an effective opposition in the state, a senior state politician said.

(NST) – Newly-appointed Progressive Democratic Party senior vice-president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, in a Borneo Post report, questioned how one could accept a position in the government while being critical of the same administration at the same time.

The Bawang Assan assemblyman described such a situation as ‘playing double standards’ and contrary to the aspirations of the people in Sarawak, who wanted a genuine and sincere opposition.

“You cannot have one foot in and one foot out. That would be playing double standards. And people can see that as being insincere.

“How can you accept government-appointed posts and yet criticise the same government?” Soon Koh was quoted in the report.

He was responding to the calls made by Sarawak DAP chairman and Stampin member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen for effective checks and balances on state governance by the opposition.

Chong, who is also the Padungan state assemblyman, had previously accused Soon Koh of making excuses over the latter’s remarks asking Sarawak DAP to switch coalitions or be a ‘wholly opposition’ party for the sake of political stability.

Sarawak DAP is part of the unity government at the federal level but an opposition party in Sarawak.

Among party leaders who hold positions at the federal level included Lanang MP Alice Lau, who is the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker. Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii is the political secretary to the Human Resources Minister.