Latest news with #GeorgeLam
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
Residents plead for action as man's unruly behaviour sparks fear in Tabuan Dusun
An image showing the man shaking the gate of a house in the residential area. KUCHING (July 19): Residents of Tabuan Dusun are calling for urgent action from authorities after enduring years of disturbances and threats allegedly caused by a man believed to be the son of a prominent local figure. Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak secretary George Lam claimed that he was informed during a site visit that the man, who allegedly has a history of drug abuse and mental health issues, lives alone in a terraced house in the neighbourhood. 'Residents have told me that they have pleaded many times with this Dato to commit the man to psychiatric care. Sadly, instead of taking responsibility, neighbours were asked to 'assist' by sending him food or looking after him — a completely unreasonable demand that has caused tremendous stress and fear in the community,' he said in a statement following a site visit today. The situation escalated yesterday, when the man allegedly broke into a neighbour's renovated home, damaged property, attempted assault, shook another neighbour's gate, threw stones, and was eventually seen wandering naked in the neighbourhood before being apprehended by police. According to him, the Bandar Kuching parliamentary service centre has been handling this case since October last year. He said they had assisted affected residents in filing police reports and mediating the issue on multiple occasions but the man's mental condition is highly unpredictable, having allegedly committed numerous offences, threatening neighbours repeatedly, and continues to return to the neighbourhood after brief police involvement. Residents claimed that the man would frequently shout and bang on walls at night, disrupting public peace and was only issued warnings despite repeated police reports. In January this year, the man allegedly threw stones and damaged four cars in the neighbourhood, and although was charged in court, the case was withdrawn after a private settlement, claimed Lam. In April this year, it was alleged that the man set fire to a mattress in his bedroom, prompting firefighters to rush in to contain the blaze. He was then reportedly sent to Sentosa Hospital for one month of psychiatric treatment and later returned to the neighbourhood. Last month, it was alleged that he was convicted for drug abuse, fined RM3,300 or 11 months in jail, and placed under a three-year good behaviour bond, requiring weekly check-ins at the police station. 'Since he did not serve jail time, it is presumed the fine was paid on his behalf. Yesterday, the situation escalated dramatically. 'Residents of Tabuan Dusun have lived under constant stress and danger for years. Enough is enough. They now demand firm and immediate action from the authorities,' Lam further claimed. He added that regardless of who the man's father is, the law must be enforced given that the safety of the community is above all. 'The residents — particularly those living next to him — are fully prepared to cooperate with police by providing statements and evidence.' George Lam lead prominent figures Tabuan Dusun unruly behaviour
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Dapsy: GPS seat expansion about power, not rights
Lam says GPS appears to be 'confused' about the priority of the matter, mistakenly linking state seat expansion with federal parliamentary representation. KUCHING (July 18): The GPS-led Sarawak government's bid to increase state assembly seats is merely a move to entrench political dominance, not to restore constitutional rights, said DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak Secretary George Lam. According to Lam, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) appeared to be 'confused' about the priority of the matter, mistakenly linking state seat expansion with federal parliamentary representation. 'Unfortunately, GPS seems to be confused about the priority of this issue, mistakenly believing that increasing state seats will lead to more federal parliamentary seats. 'In reality, their move is nothing more than an attempt to entrench their political dominance in Sarawak, and contributes nothing toward restoring our constitutional rights,' said Lam in a statement yesterday. Lam reiterated DAP Sarawak's firm support for increasing the number of parliamentary seats allocated to Sarawak, saying it was crucial for fair representation at the federal level and for the realisation of rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'Both DAP representatives — YB Chong Chieng Jen (Padungan) and YB Violet Yong (Pending) — have made our stand crystal clear during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting on July 7. 'If GPS is sincere about using their political influence in the Federal Government to push for more parliamentary seats for Sarawak, every single DAP MP will vote in support of that motion,' he said. However, Lam noted that to date, there has been no indication of such an effort from GPS at the federal level. 'Instead, we only hear loud statements made within Sarawak itself — a form of political self-talk with no meaningful action,' he said. Lam pointed out that GPS currently holds one Deputy Prime Minister position and five federal Cabinet posts in the Unity Government, which gives the coalition the political platform needed to raise the matter. 'With such representation in Putrajaya, they have the capacity to bring this proposal forward at the highest level. 'Yet, what we are seeing instead is a lopsided focus on increasing state seats, with no clear plan or numbers on how many federal seats Sarawak should rightfully receive,' said Lam. He said the real need lies in stronger representation in Parliament, which would enable Sarawak to negotiate more effectively for devolution of powers and fulfil MA63 obligations. 'Sarawakians know very well that what we truly need is an increase in federal parliamentary seats, not state seats. 'Increasing state seats, on the other hand, only serves to place more political figures into the State Assembly and does nothing to help our fight for equal rights,' Lam said. Lam also challenged GPS's rationale that Sarawak's vast geography necessitates more state constituencies. 'Let's be honest – what we need are people's representatives, not representatives for forests, rivers, and trees,' he said. Following the state seat increase bill's passage, Lam urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure a fair, transparent, and independent redelineation process. 'The upcoming redelineation exercise must be conducted with greater fairness and caution to uphold the principle of 'one person, one vote' and ensure equal vote value,' said Lam. He highlighted that densely populated urban areas such as Kuching and Sibu are severely underrepresented and must be prioritised. 'Redelineation must prioritise these areas in order to reflect the true spirit of equality as enshrined in the Federal Constitution,' he added. Lam also outlined the legal redelineation process, where the EC must hold a one-month public display after preparing the proposed boundaries. During this period, he said any group of 100 or more registered voters from an affected constituency can file a formal objection. 'If this threshold is met, the EC must review and revise the boundaries, followed by a second round of public display. 'Once the second display concludes, no further objections can be submitted,' Lam explained. The final boundaries, he said, will be tabled in Parliament and gazetted before being implemented in the next general election. Calling the process a 'critical part of our democratic system,' Lam urged voters to educate themselves and take part actively. 'When the time comes, we must be prepared to act and stand up for a fair and just electoral map. 'DAP Sarawak will continue to promote voter education to ensure every Sarawakian understands their rights and is empowered to protect the principle of 'one person, one vote, equal vote value',' he said. DAPSY DUN George Lam gps lead seats expansion
Borneo Post
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Dapsy Sarawak to SUPP: Sarawakians deserve answers, not political drama
George Lam KUCHING (June 5): The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak has urged its political opponent, the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) to stop the blame game and provide the answers that Sarawakians seek. Responding to SUPP labelling every question raised by DAP and every concern voiced by the public as an 'obstacle' to development, Dapsy Sarawak secretary George Lam said SUPP's approach 'is not just wrong but also dangerous for democracy'. 'Focus on the real questions we're asking on behalf of the people. Sarawakians deserve answers, not political drama. And the more you try to silence us, the more the people will start to wonder: What exactly are you trying to hide?' he said in a statement today. To make matters worse, Lam said SUPP had gone as far as to claim that DAP's criticisms were somehow 'eroding Sarawak's political stability'. 'Let's be real, if your government has nothing to hide, why not just answer the questions? Why try to silence those who speak up? Why attack DAP just for doing our job? 'It's pretty clear to me that they don't want to talk about the real issues, so they try to distract everyone by blaming the opposition,' he added. Lam pointed out that the ruling state coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), of which SUPP is a component, holds nearly 80 out of the 82 seats in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), while DAP has only two. Given this, he questioned how DAP could possibly impede development or cause political instability. 'It doesn't even make sense. This is just an excuse to avoid being accountable. What worries me more is that, with such a huge majority, GPS can pass any bill they want — even ones that might affect people's rights — without any meaningful debate. 'And what does SUPP do? They clap, praise GPS and vote 'yes' every single time,' he said. Citing the RM100 million travel expenses budget as an example, Lam said that this was a huge amount of money for ordinary Sarawakians, but in the last DUN sitting, it was passed in one session with no explanation and no questions allowed. He quipped: 'Just like that. Is this how public money should be handled?' He said DAP has persistently raised questions to keep the government in check and make sure that the people's voices are heard. 'When policies don't make sense or when public funds are involved, we must speak up. But instead of answering, SUPP chooses to attack us. That's not leadership but fear,' added Lam. Dapsy Sarawak George Lam lead SUPP
