SANDAKAN: Sabah DAP Secretary cum Sandakan MP Vivian Wong called on Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong to stop using destructive political tactics and return to the spirit of healthy democracy, following his repeated attacks on the Esteel green steel plant project.
“If you truly want to champion the people, first understand the real facts about this project, then channel your views through appropriate and constructive means,” Vivian said, criticising what she described as Calvin’s “theatrical” police reports and unfounded allegations aimed at creating political propaganda.
She said the Esteel steel plant project is one of Sabah’s most strategic foreign industrial investments in recent years, having received comprehensive approval from the Federal Government and all relevant agencies.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The project’s legitimacy was further demonstrated when the Prime Minister himself conducted the ground-breaking ceremony.
“This project will stimulate transformation in Sabah’s industrial sector, create thousands of job opportunities and help local companies join the global supply chain. It is an invaluable economic leap opportunity for the State,” she said.
She accused Calvin of repeatedly manipulating the issue with inflammatory and misleading statements driven by political theatrics rather than constructive intent.
“If he genuinely wants to scrutinise and critique, he should use official channels, including raising questions in the State Legislative Assembly to the State Industrial
Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe rather than creating negative public perception without solid facts,” she said.
Vivian noted this pattern of behaviour is not new, pointing to Calvin’s previous irresponsible statement urging foreign investors not to invest in Sandakan.
“Now he is not only backstabbing Sandakan but also damaging Sabah’s image and future in the eyes of outside investors. If such actions continue, investors will think twice before choosing Sabah as an investment destination,” she said.
She said the people of Sabah and Sandakan should not become victims of irresponsible political games, calling for rational, responsible and globally-minded representatives instead of those who “enjoy stirring political drama for cheap publicity.
“Do not let cheap publicity sacrifice development opportunities that Sabah desperately needs. Sabah should not lose to endless internal squabbles like this and Sandakan can no longer afford to be betrayed by its own representative,” she said.