Latest news with #Dapsy
Borneo Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Hold inclusive consultations before policy announcements, Dapsy S'wak treasure tells Putrajaya
Wong says the government's initial announcement of the SST had sparked widespread public concern. KUCHING (June 27): The federal government has been urged to conduct thorough consultations involving all relevant stakeholders prior to announcing and implementing any new policy, said Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak treasurer Wong King Yii. He said the government's initial announcement of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) had sparked widespread public concern. 'I welcome the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to exempt imported apples and oranges from the SST. 'This decision reflects the government's willingness to listen to the voices of the people, especially at a time when many are grappling with the rising cost of living,' he said in a statement. Wong added that a more inclusive and communicative approach would result in a more stable, forward-thinking policymaking, thereby reducing the need for reversals. He also pointed out that apples and oranges are essential sources of daily nutrition for many households that are not easily substitutable. 'By exempting the fruits from SST, the government not only eases the financial burden on the people, but also helps safeguard public health and basic nutritional needs,' he said. 'That said, while I acknowledge the positive impact of this adjustment, I remain concerned over the recent trend of frequent policy U-turns. 'Inconsistencies in major policy decisions can weaken public trust and create unnecessary confusion for both businesses and consumers,' he added. Moving forward, Wong hopes the government would adopt a more open, considerate decision-making process, which incorporates public input and helps rebuild confidence in the country's public institutions. DAPSY lead SST Wong King Yii
Borneo Post
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Dapsy chief slams abandoned MYKiosk stalls in Miri as ‘policy failure'
Hee stands between some of the kiosks at the Grand Oldlady, on top Canada Hill. MIRI (June 9): Sarawak Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) chief Peter Hee has condemned the prolonged abandonment of the MYKiosk programme in Miri as a serious failure of public policy and a betrayal of the government's pledge to support low-income communities. He criticised the Miri City Council for allowing the initiative to fall into neglect, with most of the kiosks left unused and deteriorating for over two years. Launched in 2022 as a joint federal-local government initiative, the programme saw the construction of 10 kiosks across Miri, including locations in Luak Bay and Canada Hill. However, many now stand rusted and overgrown with weeds, having never been activated or allocated for use. 'This is a textbook case of poor execution and resource mismanagement. It's a waste of taxpayers' money, and a serious blow to public trust in the government's promise to alleviate poverty,' he said in a statement yesterday. Hee blamed the programme's failure on a lack of planning and implementation by local authorities, highlighting several key issues: kiosks built in remote or low-traffic areas; the absence of basic infrastructure such as electricity and running water; and no clear operational framework to support hawkers. 'Even those willing to use the kiosks are unable to operate under these conditions,' he added. He also raised concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the application and allocation process. He said hawkers have repeatedly tried to apply for the kiosks but were met with vague or dismissive responses from city officials, including statements such as 'no decision has been made'. 'There's no access to forms, no guidelines, no timelines. Many traders feel ignored and excluded,' he said, noting that several night market hawkers who approached Dapsy had attempted to express interest but were given the runaround. As a result, many of these traders have continued operating without permits, risking enforcement action while the government-built kiosks sit idle. Calling the situation unacceptable, Hee urged the council to issue an immediate status update on the MYKiosk project, demanding full disclosure of each kiosk's condition, location, and readiness for use, as well as a concrete implementation timeline and the launch of an open, transparent application process. He also proposed that priority be given to long-standing or licensed hawkers and that quarterly updates are made public to ensure accountability. 'To many struggling families, one functioning kiosk could mean food on the table. If our city council can't even get that right, they have no moral ground to talk about development.' He said Dapsy Sarawak would continue to monitor the issue and would not hesitate to raise the matter in the Sarawak State Assembly or Parliament if no meaningful progress is made. DAPSY lead Miri City Council MyKiosk Peter Hee
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Dapsy Sarawak takes SUPP Youth chief to task for trivialising Affin Bank hornbill issue
Peter Hee MIRI (May 19): Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak yesterday slammed Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Youth chief Kevin Lau for trivialising the Affin Bank Kenyalang Visa Debit Card hornbill issue. Its chief Peter Hee said that by belittling the matter and calling it 'playing to the gallery' showed a fundamental lack of understanding what the hornbill means to Sarawakians. 'It is more than just a decorative motif—the state emblem holds deep cultural and historical significance for Sarawak especially among the Dayak communities, where it is revered as a sacred symbol. 'Generally, it represents the spirit of unity, diversity and pride that defines Sarawak's identity within the Malaysian federation,' he said in a statement yesterday. He added: 'If we are to follow such flawed logic, does it mean we can replace the Malayan tiger in our national coat of arms with a Bengal tiger just because it is also a tiger? Clearly not. Symbols matter—they represent our values, heritage and collective memory.' Affin Bank has recently come under fire for allegedly using an image of a Great Hornbill instead of the Rhinoceros Hornbill on its debit card. Hee further said that Dapsy Sarawak does not object to Affin Bank's decision to move its regional headquarters to Sarawak, but that development and progress should not come at the expense of cultural respect and local identity. DAPSY hornbill Kevin Lau lead Peter Hee
