By Joseph Tawie | March 8, 2012 Free Malaysia Today
KUCHING: Political persecution of opposition supporters by the Taib Mahmud administration is a norm in Sarawak, claims the state opposition DAP.
The only reason people are alert to it now is because one victim, Frusis Lebi, a farmer with deformed hands and legs, had come forward to expose such persecution.
Lebi’s government subsidies and welfare aid were revoked because he had openly supported the opposition in last April’s state election.
Said Sarawak DAP secretary general Chong Chien Jen: “There are many of them who have been politically persecuted for supporting and voting for the opposition when their subsidies, allowances, and projects have been withdrawn from them.
“The problem is that many of these victims are not prepared to come out and expose these blatant acts.” Chong, who is Kota Sentosa assemblyman, was commenting on the widespread anger at the state Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Research and Marketing) Mong Dagang who had ordered that Lebi’s aid be revoked.
To further compound this ‘heinous’ act, Dagang’s political ‘boss’, James Masing who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president had, in defense of Dagang’s action advised voters to ‘follow a rule of life – jangan lawan towkay’ (don’t challenge the boss).
The comment has further fueled concerns here about the ‘arrogance’ of Sarawak BN leaders.
A leader in Taib’s Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party, who declined to be named, described Dagang as ‘stupid’.
“Dagang is so stupid to write official letters using his ministry letterhead to the departments of agriculture and welfare.
“He should follow other BN leaders by merely whispering to heads of department, so that there will be no record of him giving official instruction,” said the leader, adding that Dagang had yet to learn the Barisan Nasional tactic.
‘Political tactic’
Meanwhile Dagang took great pains to justify his actions against Lebi.
In his 40-minute press conference in Sri Aman, Dagang who is PRS vice-president said it was “his democratic right to stop providing assistance” to handicapped Lebi.
“The decision was made as Frusis (Lebi) was an opposition supporter who turned his house into an operation room centre for the opposition during the state election.
“Frusis (Lebi) did not appreciate what had been given to him. It is wasting our money, all the tax payers’ money especially the Bukit Begunan constituency voters. They (voters) might be angry with me if they knew this.
“Everyone has the democratic right. I do too. I should be fair and help those who are more deserving compared to Frusis (Lebi),” Dagang said adding that Lebi had received much aid from the government compared to others.
Dagang said as an elected representative his duty was to fairness to all his constituents.
“I am elected to serve everyone especially those in Bukit Begunan, not just one person.
“I believe this could be a political tactic used by the opposition (DAP) for their advantage, but Frusis (Lebi) did not realise he was being used,” he said.
Who Lebi supports is irrelevant
But Chong has denied that the opposition was exploiting Lebi’s situation.
“What do you mean that he is being used by DAP? Actually he (Lebi) helped PKR in the campaign. He did not help DAP nor did he fly DAP flag.
“But whether he supported anyone it is irrelevant. He could (even) be hanging PAS flag. So what?
“You don’t have to cancel his subsidy based on the ground of his political affiliation,” he said, adding that DAP would try to raise funds to help Lebi pass through this difficult times.