Most Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) backbenchers have avoided touching on the controversial RM350 million new state assembly building now under construction in Kuching, despite being instructed by their party leader to openly support it, apparently fearing possible repercussions among their constituents.

During the debate in the state assembly early last week on the motion of thanks for the Governor's opening address, only three state assemblypersons, including two from Supp, mentioned it in their speeches.

The opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) has strongly criticised the new building, situated on the north bank directly opposite Kuching Main Bazaar, 'as wasteful expenditure', saying that such a large sum of money could have been better spent on more roads, bridg es, housing for the poor, schools and clinics.

Malaysiankini reliably learnt that Supp president Dr George Chan had already asked the party's backbenchers to speak in support the Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's idea behind the new legislative assembly building.

The building, expected to be completed in 2007, is designed with capacity for108 members (although in a new reconstituted assembly there will only be 71 members) and offices for the chief minister and other ministers and assistant ministers.

Sole DAP state assemblyperson Chiew Chin Sing (Kidurong) told malaysiakini that a Supp backbencher from Sibu confided in him that the party's elected representatives had been asked to speak for the project. "It seems they are defying him," he added.

The new assembly building, next to a famous historical landmark Fort Magherita on a hillock opposite Kuching's golden triangle, has been one of the popular topics in coffee-shops and an issue that the opposition has played up to some good effects.

A passing mention

Mindful of the possible repercussions, BN backbenchers, especially from Supp, are said to prefer not to talk about it.

In his 14-page address, Ting Check Sii (Supp-Meradong) briefly mentioned the new building in one paragraph at the end of his text.

"We are confident that the construction project undertaken by a very reputable local contractor will prove a huge success," he told the assembly. "Many thanks to our state cabinet for deciding not only on providing all of us with a new and beautiful building, it is also a pride for all Sarawakians."

His party colleague Dr Jeril Susil (Supp-Bengoh) was more generous in the usage of superlatives in describing what he called the usefulness of the new building.

"The new building will not only serve as a conducive place for all elected members for their day-to-day work but also to meet their constituents," said the medical doctor turned politician, formerly with the opposition State Reform Party (Star).

Jerip said the idea for the building was born out of Taib's visionary plan as he (Taib) foresaw the cost of construction would escalate even higher in the future, if the building was not constructed now.

Direct award contract

The construction of the project has been awarded to a Sarawak-based listed company Naim Cendera which is widely known to have close links to Taib's family business interests. It is a direct award contract and, according to some consultants, it is very possible the final cost could be higher than RM350 million when eventually completed.

Jerip described the new state assembly complex as a "symbol and pride of Sarawakians of the institution that safeguards the constitution of the state."

Stanley Ajang (Belaga), one of the two partlyless state assemblypersons, chided DAP member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen for continuing to criticise the building project, asking him whether the state government had fallen back on its commitments to the people because of it.

"Have we neglected the drains, the flood mitigation projects?Are projects stalled,cancelled or modified because of the new building project? Why make a big show in Parliament just because of the new Dewan Undangan Negeri building?" said Ajang, formerly of PBDS.

Commenting on the elected representatives' remarks reported in local newspapers, Star president Dr Patau Rubis said what had happened "is that the state legislative assembly has, in the eyes of the public, degenerated into one big circus of primordial house where everyone seems to be craving for the attention of the master."

"We might as well go back to the colonial days and appoint state assemblypersons, as the present lot do not seem to bring up the real problems, the fears and concerns of the people anymore," he added.