The Bandar Kuching MP was responding to the state premier’s announcement that Gabungan Parti Sarawak will contest all the seats in the next state election.

Yii warned against returning to the “days when the state government had unfettered powers without any proper accountability”.

“We remember the days when there was no opposition in the state assembly. Allegations of corruption, abuse of power, the squandering of our resources, and even oppression were rampant.

“Even though the government’s performance has improved and many good policies have been announced and implemented, that does not negate the necessity for stronger checks and balances,” he said in a statement today.

Speaking at the close of the GPS convention yesterday, coalition chairman Abang Johari Openg said they would field candidates in all the state constituencies as “only the people of Sarawak truly understand our culture and politics”.

Yii said the state’s growing federal resources and oil and gas revenue warrant greater scrutiny.

He said it is important to ensure the funds directly benefit the people and not “just a small group of elites”.

“It is important to keep the pressure on the government even when it implements good policies. We must keep the government accountable so that these policies are implemented properly and on time,” he said.

The state assembly’s term expires in February next year, unless dissolved earlier. An election must be held within 60 days of dissolution, or by April at the latest.