(Kuala Lumpur, 11th) — Regarding Sarawak DAP Chairman Chong Chieng Jen being ordered to pay Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Sim Kui Hian RM500,000 in damages, the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) National Executive Council solemnly states that this judgement is not only a heavy blow to Chong personally, but also an outright assault on public accountability.
To support Chong Chieng Jen's legal battle, DAPSY announced a RM10,000 donation from its fund to the crowdfunding campaign. DAPSY emphasized that this donation is an investment in the democratic oversight of power, and they resolutely refuse to let the voice of public accountability be silenced by exorbitant compensation.
DAPSY's press release today (11th) pointed out that Chong Chieng Jen’s questioning of food aid allocations during the 2020 Movement Control Order (MCO) was essentially the exercise of a parliamentarian’s constitutional duty.
The committee stated that during the people’s time of severe hardship and crisis, focusing on transparency of allocations and ensuring the vulnerable receive the aid they deserve is the bounden duty of every representative.
“If representatives must face the risk of hefty fines simply for questioning administrative efficiency or demanding government transparency, this is doubtless a misfortune for our country, as politicians could then more easily use the law as a tool to evade accountability.”
DAPSY believes that for a long time, the operation of public fund allocations in Sarawak has often been shrouded in doubts about a lack of transparency. Public accountability is by no means defamation, but a necessary means to maintain governmental integrity.
They stressed that only through the active questioning by representatives can the government be compelled to respond directly, allowing the public to see the true flow of public funds.
“The government is obliged to account for every cent to the public, instead of immediately choosing to silence dissent through legal means when faced with questioning.”
DAPSY sternly warned that if the RM500,000 high-value judgment were to become a precedent, it would create a grave chilling effect in Sarawak.
They pointed out that in the future, when there is administrative malpractice or unclear allocations, who would dare step forward on behalf of the people? We must never allow legal means to become silencers for the elite to suppress voices of accountability.
“In this contest between open accountability and political oppression, DAPSY will stand with Chong Chieng Jen. We will continue to stay grounded, defend the people's right to know, and never allow extreme or hegemonic political trends to dictate the nation’s future.”