Latest news with #VioletYong
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Prove ‘divisive' label, Sarawak DAP tells Sim
Sarawak DAP secretary Violet Yong said SUPP's willingness to work with PAS under the PN government is not in line with Sarawak's multicultural values. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak DAP has challenged Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian to prove his claim that the party is 'divisive'. Sarawak DAP secretary Violet Yong reminded Sim that his Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) had worked with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its influential component PAS when Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chose to align with PN in 2020. In a statement to FMT, Yong said this was proof that SUPP was willing to work with 'extremists' whose agendas ran counter to Sarawak's multicultural values. 'That decision alone speaks volumes about their priorities and the compromises they are willing to make in the name of political expediency,' she said. 'I challenge Dr Sim to point to a single example where DAP has ever divided Sarawakians. When have we ever played the politics of race or religion? The answer is never.' Sim said yesterday that Sarawak had enjoyed prolonged political stability because DAP was never part of the state government. The GPS vice-chairman also said that DAP was divisive and polarising, Dayak Daily reported. Yong, the Pending assemblyman, accused Sim of 'political ignorance and whitewashing' with his statement, calling it a 'gross insult' to the fundamentals of parliamentary democracy. She said DAP, which won only two out of 82 seats at the last state polls, accepted the results and had worked on being an effective opposition by providing checks and balances. 'That is the essence of democracy – not blind obedience to those in power, but principled service to the rakyat. 'True political stability is achieved when every voice is heard, when power is held accountable, and when governance is inclusive – not when the ruling elite is shielded from scrutiny.'
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Prove ‘divisive' label, Sarawak DAP tells Sim
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Nicholas Chung, FMT Reporters Text Size: Sarawak DAP secretary Violet Yong said SUPP's willingness to work with PAS under the PN government is not in line with Sarawak's multicultural values. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Sarawak DAP has challenged Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian to prove his claim that the party is 'divisive'. Sarawak DAP secretary Violet Yong reminded Sim that his Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) had worked with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its influential component PAS when Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chose to align with PN in 2020. In a statement to FMT, Yong said this was proof that SUPP was willing to work with 'extremists' whose agendas ran counter to Sarawak's multicultural values. 'That decision alone speaks volumes about their priorities and the compromises they are willing to make in the name of political expediency,' she said. 'I challenge Dr Sim to point to a single example where DAP has ever divided Sarawakians. When have we ever played the politics of race or religion? The answer is never.' Sim said yesterday that Sarawak had enjoyed prolonged political stability because DAP was never part of the state government. The GPS vice-chairman also said that DAP was divisive and polarising, Dayak Daily reported. Advertisement Yong, the Pending assemblyman, accused Sim of 'political ignorance and whitewashing' with his statement, calling it a 'gross insult' to the fundamentals of parliamentary democracy. She said DAP, which won only two out of 82 seats at the last state polls, accepted the results and had worked on being an effective opposition by providing checks and balances. 'That is the essence of democracy – not blind obedience to those in power, but principled service to the rakyat. 'True political stability is achieved when every voice is heard, when power is held accountable, and when governance is inclusive – not when the ruling elite is shielded from scrutiny.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malaysiakini
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Rep slams S'wak speaker's ruling to block query on state travel spending
Pending assemblyperson Violet Yong has voiced strong disapproval over the recent decision by Sarawak legislative assembly speaker Amar Asfia Awang Nassar to reject her question seeking a breakdown of government spending on overseas trips by state leaders and their family members. In a statement today, Yong expressed her 'deep disappointment and concern' over the speaker's ruling, which deemed the question inadmissible under Standing Orders 20(3), 20(4), and 20(6).
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Be accurate with hornbill design, zoologist urges bank
The rhinoceros hornbill is the state bird of Sarawak. It is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. (Jason Teo pic) PETALING JAYA : A zoologist has urged Affin Bank to rectify the image of a hornbill on the bank's debit card for Sarawakians, saying that key features showed that it was not the rhinoceros hornbill, the state bird of Sarawak. Jason Teo, a Sarawakian, said the casque of the hornbill shown matched that of the rhinoceros hornbill but its yellowish-white neck and stripes of white on its wings were features of the great hornbill species. He said rhinoceros hornbills are native to East and West Malaysia, but not the great hornbills. Affin Bank should make the necessary amendments. 'Mistakes happen, and I believe this was an honest one,' he said, the Borneo Post reported. Teo said the image of the hornbill on the card should not be a mix of several species. 'The designated state bird of Sarawak is specifically the rhinoceros hornbill, not just any hornbill,' he said. The great hornbill is found in mainland Asia while the rhinoceros hornbill is found only in the forests of Peninsular Malaysia and the islands of Sumatra, Java and Borneo. On Thursday, Sarawak DAP secretary Violet Yong had urged the bank, which is partly state-owned, to apologise and replace the cards. Yesterday, Kuching South mayor Wee Hong Seng defended the bank, saying the graphic was merely a conceptual design that was 'quite close' to the rhinoceros hornbill. The card was introduced by the bank for its Kenyalang savings account for Sarawakians last month. The Sarawak government has a 31.25% stake in the bank.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hornbill design on Affin Bank card not an issue, says Abdul Karim
Affin Bank has clarified that the Kenyalang debit card design was inspired by the Sarawak state crest and state flag. KUCHING: The hornbill design on Affin Bank's Kenyalang debit card for Sarawakians should not have become an issue, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said the bank had good intentions in displaying a hornbill on the card, regardless of the species depicted. "I think what Affin has done is something good. Why must you narrow it down to this hornbill or that hornbill? "This is making a mountain out of a molehill," he said after the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday (May 19). The card's design was criticised by DAP's Pending assemblyman Violet Yong last week, who claimed it did not depict the rhinoceros hornbill, Sarawak's state bird. Instead, she said it showed a great hornbill, which is not found in Sarawak. However, Abdul Karim said there was no need to call attention to the hornbill species as the bird generally represents Sarawak. "The bird on the card is a hornbill, so what is the issue? Personally, I see no need to change the design," he said. Earlier on Monday, Affin clarified that the Sarawak state crest - which features a hornbill and the state flag - inspired the Kenyalang debit card design. "The design featured is a symbolic creation, thoughtfully blending elements of the state crest as a tribute to Sarawak's rich cultural legacy," it said in a statement. The bank also thanked the public for their support and interest in the Kenyalang card. "Our priority is to ensure that our creativity and designs genuinely reflect what matters to the community we serve. Your feedback guides us and we remain committed to celebrating Sarawak with authenticity, pride, and respect," it added. The card was introduced last month as part of Affin's Kenyalang savings account for Sarawakians. The Sarawak government currently holds a 31.25% stake in the bank following its acquisition of shares from the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) and Boustead Holdings Berhad last year.
