Kota Sentosa assemblyperson Chong Chieng Jen today accused Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang of living in the era of the 1990s for constantly raising issues that happened in that era despite so many rebuttals by DAP.

"Obviously, Jabu has not progressed. He is still living in the era of 1996," said Chong, who is Sarawak DAP chief.

Chong (right ) was commenting on remarks by Jabu during his debate on his ministry that DAP had 'oppressed and suppressed' the natives from participating in the BN poverty eradication programmes through an oil palm joint-venture in Kanowit.

Had the DAP not opposed the natives from participating in the scheme, more acres of native customary rights land would be planted with oil palm, Jabu had said.

Said Chong: "We have made so many rebuttals in the past. Why does he keep on raising the issue? He has not progressed and is still living in the era of 1996.

"His allegation is a total lie and nonsense," he said.

On Jabu's challenge for DAP to contest in his Layar seat, Chong said that either PKR or DAP would contest.

The seat is earmarked for the opposition's victory, judging by the fact that Jabu's majority continued to decline, he said.

As a top leader of the Iban community and deputy chief minister, his majority was one of the worst among the BN leaders in the last state election.

“He has been representing Layar for the past 40 years and had failed his constituents.

"The people are fed-up with him," said Chong, expressing the hope that Jabu would not run away from his constituency.

He pleaded for him to contest in the coming state elections even though he might be dropped as a candidate “due to his failure and poor performance”.

In the last election, Jabu's majority was reduced to 1,916 votes against a PKR political novice.