KUCHING: DAP denies playing up racial and religious issues during the 12th state election, saying that they were merely speaking up for the 250,000 Sarawakians who are presently residing in Peninsular Malaysia.

       Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii said it was the responsibility of an elected leader to speak up on racial and religious issues that affected Muslims and non-Muslims.

       “There are an estimated 250,000 Sarawakians living in Peninsular Malaysia, are we supposed to stay silent and not speak up when their fundamental rights are being challenged?

       “So, we are not playing up racial and religious issues. We are speaking for the people and their rights under the Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said at a press conference at DAP’s headquarters in Kuching on Sunday (Dec 12).

       State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen was also present at the press conference

       On Friday (Dec 10), GPS chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof accused DAP and Pakatan Harapan of playing up racial issues ahead of polling day on Dec 18 (Saturday).

       Fadillah explained that the reason why GPS supported the Perikatan government was to ensure political stability.

       The Petra Jaya MP also pointed out that under Pakatan Harapan’s 22-month administration, the construction of the Pan-Borneo highway was repeatedly stalled, among others.

       Early voting for the Sarawak state election is on Dec 14 while polling day is Dec 18.