Lo Khere Chiang Says DAP Sarawak’s Record Shows Failure to Defend State’s Rights

suppadmin | October 28, 2025

Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang has criticised DAP Sarawak’s claim of championing “checks and balances,” saying the party’s past actions show inconsistency and failure to defend Sarawak’s core interests.

Responding to DAP Sarawak chairman YB Chong Chieng Jen’s recent remarks calling for stronger opposition representation in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Lo said accountability must be matched by consistent advocacy for Sarawak’s rights.

“Accountability is indeed important. But when Sarawak’s core rights were being tested, did DAP Sarawak speak clearly, consistently, and decisively for Sarawak? The record speaks for itself,” he said in a statement.

He recalled that Chong had once pledged to deliver 50 percent of all taxes collected in Sarawak and 20 percent oil royalties to the state when DAP was part of the federal government, but none of those promises materialised.

“Not a single sen of increased revenue reached Sarawak as a result of his efforts. It was a pledge made loudly but never fulfilled,” Lo said.

He also referred to the period in 2019 when Sarawak imposed the five percent State Sales Tax on petroleum products. Former Attorney General Tommy Thomas revealed that then Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had raised objections that could have affected Sarawak’s ability to collect the tax.

“At this critical moment, DAP Sarawak did not stand up firmly for Sarawak. If defending Sarawak is truly the priority, this silence requires a clear and honest explanation,” he said.

On transparency, Lo questioned Chong’s repeated emphasis on “checks and balances,” pointing out that during his more than two decades in Parliament, he never called for Petronas to table its full financial accounts for scrutiny.

“If the role of the opposition is to question, why was this not questioned? If the role is to scrutinise, why was this not scrutinised? And if the role is to defend Sarawak’s interests, why did YB Chong not lead that defence?” Lo asked.

He further said that even on the issue of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), it was the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, not DAP, who recognised the certificate in Sarawak.

“Even after multiple DAP terms in the federal government, UEC remains unrecognised in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

Lo stressed that while DAP makes promises it cannot deliver, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has shown results.

“The five percent petroleum sales tax is being enforced. PETROS is recognised as the sole gas aggregator for Sarawak. Operational control in the gas sector is steadily returning to Sarawakian hands. These are not slogans. These are results,” he said.

Lo warned against allowing Sarawak to be used as a platform to strengthen the parliamentary influence of Peninsular-based party leaderships.

“DAP Sarawak is not an independent Sarawak-based party. Its policy direction and strategic decisions are aligned with the national DAP leadership in Peninsular Malaysia. That is why its priorities often do not reflect Sarawak’s needs on the ground,” he said.

He also criticised Lim Guan Eng’s 2019 statement suggesting that Sarawak would go bankrupt in three years, which he said was proven untrue.

“Sarawak’s financial resilience speaks for itself,” Lo said.

He concluded that Sarawak’s unity, peace, and harmony remain its greatest strength, adding, “Sarawak’s progress is our shared responsibility. Sarawak First. Sarawak Always.”