KUCHING: MP for Selangau, Baru Bian expressed his shock to learn that DCM James Masing proposed to use up the state’s reserves of RM31 billion before the next Sarawak elections so that the incoming government will not have the chance to ‘look good’ in the eyes of Sarawakians.
“This statement reflects his mentality – he is a politician first, and the DCM second when it should be the other way around. For him, it is obviously not about the people anymore, but about his political relevance and survival. This is perhaps the reason he comes up with the most ‘ingenious’ suggestion for the GPS,” said Baru.
“The reserves belong to the people of Sarawak, not for the GPS to spend their way to glory. They are supposed to manage the funds for the benefit of the people, not to score popularity stakes.
“The statement by Masing is thoroughly irresponsible and selfish, and Sarawakians should be worried that this is the mindset of the DCM – someone who is entrusted to manage the affairs of the state. We need leaders who are prudent, and who will utilise the funds of the State wisely, in accordance with the needs of the rakyat. Not someone who is desperately thinking of ways to hinder the work of the new government when the old government is removed.
“Every government is expected to invest in development but the suggestion of Masing implies rash spending of the RM31billion in the next 3 years just because he does not want the new government to have use of the funds.
“If his suggestion is taken, it will lead to unnecessary projects, wastage, leakage and possibly implementation of projects without the necessary due diligence because of haste. This spending spree may lead to borrowing as our government projects are known never to stay within initial projected budgets, but exceed budgeted expenditure by multiples. Perhaps Masing wishes the incoming PH Sarawak government to be saddled with debts too!
“The current government, by whatever name you call it, has had over 50 years to show that they ‘do care about Sarawak’s future’ and that they want to serve Sarawakians in the best possible way they can.
“Why is it that James Masing chooses ‘now’ as the time to do it? By his words, he is admitting that the government has, up to now, not done its best for the people of Sarawak, and that they have not cared about Sarawak’s future and that they have not bothered about serving Sarawakians in the best possible way. Of course, every discerning Sarawakian knows this but finally, we have confirmation from none other than our DCM.
“I recall that in November 2013, when I suggested in DUN that the government should utilise our reserves to repair the many dilapidated schools in Sarawak, the Finance Minister shot the idea down by saying: ‘We should not use the basis of our healthy reserve which we have worked so hard to build over the past years to finance responsibilities beyond purview. If we start to work along this basis, the State would stretch too far and beyond its financial limit and capacity. Eventually, the state may face financial distress that will adversely impact us and our future generations.’
Baru now wonders what the Finance Minister has to say about James Masing’s idea. Does he have the same consideration for our future generations?
