Recently, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian won a defamation suit against Stampin Member of Parliament (MP) and DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen. Chong was ordered to pay Dr Sim RM500,000 in damages after claiming that Dr Sim failed to manage COVID-19 food aid allocations in 2020.
Now, Malaysians are questioning whether it is appropriate for DAP Sarawak to accept a pensioner’s RM3,000 donation to help the Stampin MP and other party leaders facing legal troubles.
An 85-year-old man donated RM3,000 to help DAP leaders pay for their lost defamation suits
DAP politician Michael Kong Feng Nian took to his Facebook page to share how the elderly man visited the DAP Sarawak headquarters to hand over the donation.
Kong stated, “An 85-year-old uncle walked into the DAP Sarawak headquarters. He asked a simple question, ‘Is YB Chong around?’ When he was told that Chong Chieng Jen was not in the office, he paused for a moment and asked for me instead. I was nearby and went over as soon as I could.”
“He told me he had been following the news about YB Chong’s case and the court order for RM500,000 in damages and costs. He said he could not sleep well after reading it. To him, it felt deeply unjust. He felt that we were being targeted simply for speaking up,” Kong added.
The elderly man then pulled out a red packet containing RM3,000 and handed it to Kong, who is also facing an ongoing defamation case.
“I want you two to know that you’re not alone. I understand what both of you are going through. I know you have your cases too,” the elderly man told Kong.
Kong expressed his deep appreciation for the man’s gesture and his consideration of the struggles faced by the DAP Sarawak politicians. He stated, “It was never about the amount. It was about solidarity, about an ordinary citizen refusing to stay silent. For a moment, I was at a loss for words. I asked for his name, and he just said his nickname is ‘Big Potato.’ In a political landscape filled with noise, attacks, and cynicism, Uncle Big Potato showed up simply to say, ‘I see your struggle.'”
“And that is why we keep going. That is why we endure pressure, lawsuits, and personal attacks. Not for positions. Not for power. But because there are still people like him. People who care. People who understand. People who know why this fight matters,” he added.
“Did you accept the money?”
Malaysians have been left divided over whether or not the politicians should have accepted the donation from a pensioner.
Why they accepted the donation
In the comments section of his post, Kong clarified that they accepted the man’s donation because the defamation suit involved a matter of public interest, rather than a personal dispute.
He explained:
“If it were a personal matter without any public interest, I would agree with you that it should involve only personal funds. But when it involves a public interest matter, and this is in the course of voicing out for the people, a donation drive like this shows the sentiment and solidarity of the people.
“This sends a strong message to the ruling parties that the public does not agree with their political persecution and will stand with our leaders.”
What do you think about this? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
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