The GPS Backbenchers Club told opposition members to stop politicking and step up, and do their role in helping Sarawak recover from the Covid-19 spread.
KUCHING (June 5): The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers Club has called on Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and other remaining opposition assemblymen to volunteer to contribute a portion of their salaries to the Sarawak State Disaster Fund.
“It is time that they stop politicking, step up and do their role in helping Sarawak recover from the Covid-19 spread,” it said in a statement today, in response to PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh who described the two-month salary cut on state government officials for the State Disaster Fund as a political stunt.
It said that the contribution by the state government via a pay cut of its members serves a symbol solidarity on the Covid-19 anti-pandemic fight, and pointed out that it is not new as it has been done at the federal government level through the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for similar pay cuts on Federal Cabinet Ministers early this week.
“This was also emulated by other state governments – Johor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan – regardless of political affiliations and beliefs.
“We are perplexed as to why Datuk Seri Wong decided to politicise the issue when it is never about politics to begin with,” it said.
The GPS Backbenchers Club noted that while Wong claimed that the RM3 million is a drop in the ocean in terms of the Sarawak government expenditure, it was never about the amount – what it is, is about the spirit of the matter.
“Regardless of sum, in this point of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is crucial that everyone shows the support and conviction to see that the spread of the coronavirus comes to a halt.
“That is what it is about. It is a good thing; it is even noble in some aspect. Why, suddenly is this politicised?” it questioned.
The club also reminded that PSB, through one of its presidential council members in February this year, had urged for a pay cut on assemblymen to purchase gadgets for poor school children to follow home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) sessions.
“Why is it when this is done now, that the party opposes the move with all its might?
“Had they forgotten their demand for the pay cuts back then or was it simply a ‘personal opinion’ of one of its members?” it asked.
from Borneo Post Online https://bit.ly/2SbviZV
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment