Abang Jo's govt has own checks and balances, says Sarawak minister
KUCHING : A Sarawak minister has assured that Abang Johari Openg's state administration maintains adequate checks and balances despite concerns about the lack of a strong opposition in the state assembly.
State tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Sarawak government is taking active steps to promote transparency and accountability, despite ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak holding a super majority in the state assembly.
'Checks and balances are at the core (of the administration),' he told FMT in an interview.
Only two of 82 state assemblymen sit as opposition members in the state assembly—Chong Chieng Jen (Pandungan) and Violent Yong (Pending), both of DAP.
Karim, also the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's information chief, said Sarawak has various mechanisms to monitor government integrity, including an ombudsman unit, reputed to be the only unit in the country.
He, however, refused to be drawn into a discussion about allegations of widespread cronyism and abuse of power dating back to the era of former Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.
'Taib's era is over,' he said in reply.
He said those involved in any wrongdoing should be held accountable, but added that it was up to enforcement agencies to take action.
Better quality assemblymen
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Karim said the state assembly has evolved in terms of quality and maturity, with backbenchers playing a vital role in keeping the government in check.
He said that in the past those who stood in elections were 'not really academically qualified', but a majority of the state's current assemblymen comprised doctors, lawyers and graduates in other fields.
Karim, a lawyer, said today's elected representatives were more inclined to challenge authority, breaking from past norms of unquestioning loyalty.
'Through the years, I have observed, that they are becoming more vocal. You don't see (them) supporting (a policy) blindly,' the Asajaya assemblyman, first elected in 2001, said.
Karim added that although there were only two opposition members in the 82-seat assembly, the backbenchers understood their role and would speak up when necessary.
'It might be different, but these backbenchers know when they need to criticise.'
From logging to green development
Karim said the state has turned its focus to sustainable development and clean energy, moving away from environmentally harmful practices like logging.
'I believe (we're heading) in the right direction. We have moved away from not very good industries like logging. Now, we are protective of our forest. The state government is moving into clean energy and away from fossil (fuels).'
He cited the Rainforest World Music Festival, which has run for over two decades, as an example of eco-conscious initiatives in the state, as well as the decision to ban the sale of turtle eggs in markets.
Karim also said Sarawak has made significant strides in sanitation and waste disposal since the 1970s.
He said the era of 'flying toilets'—which saw people use plastic bags to collect and discard excreta into the river—is now over, thanks to the installation of proper sanitation facilities.
'That means there has been success in changing the mindset of people.'
On urban planning, he said Kuching was expanding horizontally rather than through high-rise development, pointing to the fact that there are no high-rise buildings in the capital.
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