“The Batu Kawah people have been cheated of their vote. They were promised the deputy chief minister’s post by voting for Dr Sim (Kui Hian), but at the end of the day, it turned out otherwise,” state DAP leader Chong Chieng Jen said.
SUPP President Dr Sim contested in Batu Kawah, beating DAP incumbent Christina Chew by 2,085 votes in a three-cornered fight. The third candidate was an independent, Liu Thian Leong.
“So soon after the election, they have gone against their word. It is a betrayal of the mandate given by the people,” Chong said.
“Adenan (Satem) may not have specifically said that this post was promised, but it was the impression given.
“It was widely accepted by the Chinese community and Sarawak at large.”
DAP’s Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong felt Chinese voters were “cheated” by BN.
“I pity the Batu Kawah voters.
“We can see from the appointment of the deputy chief minister’s posts. We can see the true colours of Adenan, who has failed to give fair treatment to the Chinese community.
“Hopefully, voters wake up.”
DAP’s candidate for Batu Kitang, Abdul Aziz Isa, who lost the election to SUPP’s Lo Khere Chiang, said SUPP voters faced “blatant humiliation” in Sim being passed over for the appointment.
“It is a total slap to the face of voters, especially voters who went with BN and believed the promises made by Adenan.
“Voters now feel so frustrated with the announcement,” Abdul Aziz said.
“I urge SUPP to pull out of BN if they have any dignity.”
In his Facebook posting today, Abdul Aziz wrote: “Orang Cina kena tipu bulat-bulat oleh BN. SUPP macam kena buli.” (“The Chinese have been roundly lied to by BN. It is like SUPP is being bullied.”)
DAP suffered a crushing loss in the recently-concluded state elections, losing five seats to BN, while retaining seven seats.
Adenan, in announcing his Cabinet lineup today, said he had never promised he would appoint a Chinese deputy chief minister as reported in the social media, but merely said he would appoint ministers to represent the community.
Sim has been appointed as Minister of Local Government while another Chinese assemblyman, Dr Wong Soon Koh, is Second Minister of Finance.
Adenan said the list of assistant ministers will be announced later.