Thursday, June 23, 2011

DUN (Day Two): Chong says DAP saves taxpayers' money when YBs say no to uniform



Being thrifty is a virtue, says Kota Sentosa rep
Posted on June 23, 2011, Thursday

KUCHING: The state DAP is glad that the State Legislative Assembly respected the wish of its 12 elected members to not wear the official uniform during the opening ceremony by the Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Mohammad Salahuddin on Tuesday.

Its secretary Chong Chieng Jen, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman and Bandar Kuching MP, said yesterday that the whole matter should not be blown out of proportion because being “thrifty is a virtue”.

“The DUN Speaker has already expressed his opinion that it is a choice. We make the choice. That’s all. It should not be a big issue. To be thrifty is a virtue,” he stressed.
Chong said the DAP assemblymen declined to wear the uniform as it was costly and to help save taxpayers’ money.

“A lot more infrastructure work needs to be done (in the state). Whenever we write in to the state government for related projects, there is always insufficient fund,” Chong told reporters at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

During the opening ceremony, all the 12 DAP members wore dark-coloured suits, while the three PKR assemblymen and one Independent wore the official uniform.

EndsTHE state DAP is glad that the State Legislative Assembly respected the wish of its 12 elected members to not wear the official uniform during the opening ceremony which was officiated by the Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Mohammad Salahuddin on Tuesday.

Its secretary Chong Chieng Jen, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman and Bandar Kuching MP, said yesterday that the whole matter should not be blown out of proportion because being “thrifty is a virtue”.

“The DUN Speaker has already expressed his opinion that it is a choice. We make the choice. That’s all. It should not be a big issue. To be thrifty is a virtue,” he stressed.

Chong said the DAP assemblymen declined to wear the uniform as it was costly and to help save taxpayers’ money.

“A lot more infrastructure work needs to be done (in the state). Whenever we write in to the state government for related projects, there is always insufficient fund,” Chong told reporters at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

During the opening ceremony, all the 12 DAP members wore dark-coloured suits, while the three PKR assemblymen and one Independent wore the official uniform.

1 comment:

  1. I have reservations on what Chong Chieng Jen said. Chong said thrifty is a virtue. That is indeed very true. However while i respect his right to put on a coat and tie, which a blazer that is, I believe that this is a minor " saving or thrifty measures ".

    Besides how much does Chong's suit cost ? more that RM4,000/- which is the cost of the official attire of a state assemblyman ?

    It is worth mentioning that for civil servants, there are provisions for their official attire and it varies according to scale. For some it's RM1,000/-, or RM1,500/-. Or even RM4,000/- too. And besides it's given only once every 3 years.

    There is no need for Chong to exclaim that he is thrifty driven in not wanting to put on the official attire. Chong should have plainly stated that he is not donning the official attire out of his belief and principles. At least he would be more frank and honest about it.

    But if Chong is really thrifty bound, then he should have lay down government projects which he viewed are stupendous and expensive. And suggest on how to cut their cost. Then we, the people, will see how ministers react to his suggestions.

    Chong should not be trivial in show casing to the world that he and his party members in the assembly are thrifty just because they put von a suit rather than the official attire. That would not impress anybody at all.

    Thank you

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