Sarawak DAP has described as a case of 'sheer bunkum of the highest degree' the recent public appeal made by several Kuching City South councillors to its newly-elected DAP Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen to help the council source for federal funding for infrastructure projects.

"They are only trying to be funny," its state chairperson Wong Ho Leng told malaysiakini today.

Several BN councillors had made an open request through local newspapers to Chong ( right ) to obtain federal funds as they did not have enough money for infrastructure projects, such as creating new public facilities and maintenance work.

Wong doubted the sincerity of the councillors, mostly from the Sarawak United People's Party (Supp), whose candidate Wee Kok Tiong standing on a BN ticket lost to Chong in the March general election.

"We are all ready to help. I am 100 percent behind the statement. (But) they know exactly the situation. They are only trying to be funny with us," he added.

Meanwhile, Chong responded that if the Supp councillors genuinely needed his help, they should give him details of their proposed development plan with the estimated expenditure.

"I shall put forward their request to the federal authorities," he added.

Funds not used

"It is the elected representative's role to reflect the requests and demand from the people. After all, a large percentage of the electorate - about 15,000 - voted for the Barisan Nasional in Bandar Kuching," said Chong, who is also the party's state secretary.

He noted that from the information available to him Sarawak did not spend all the money allocated to it under federal development expenditures in 2001 and 2002.

"What is the purpose to fight for more funds then when you couldn't spend all the allocations?" Chong asked.

Commenting on a report quoting Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawal (PBB) senior vice-president Adenan Satem as saying that the state elections could be held soon, Wong described this as another example of 'utter nonsense.'

He believed the state elections would not be held till the end of its term in mid-2006.

Wong said he based his assessment on the 'internal problems' within state BN component parties, including the Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) and PBB.

"The Sarawak National Party (Snap) is like a clay buffalo sitting in the water. The PBDS problem is getting worse. Under the circumstances do you think an early state election is likely?" Wong posed.

He added that at any rate, the DAP is ready to face the elections even tomorrow.

Apart from one MP, the party has one state assemblyperson in Sarawak in Chiew Chin Sing (Kidurong).