Which is it, open sky or “love Adenan” campaign?

QUICK TAKE: Wong Soon Koh better be clear and specific about what he wants to do with the 300,000 signatures he wants to collect in Sibu.

If the signature campaign is to express the “wishes of people in the central region of Sarawak for an open sky policy” then let it be for that purpose only.

It goes without saying that air connectivity is a major lifeline to tourism, and with Visit Sibu Year 2017 in the pipeline, direct flights in and out would be a boon.

The central region of Sarawak has been trying hard to compete for the tourist dollar, but its one major obstacle has always been the lack of direct air connectivity with popular destinations like Singapore, Guangzhou or Fuzhou in China and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Efforts had been made in the past to try to get those direct flights but without success, the fact that Sibu continues to insist on those direct flights can only mean the region’s tourism sector has come to a point where the only way to grow is an open sky.

If that is all the campaign is all about, there is no reason why the people of Sibu will not sign on the petition.

Wong must know that if it is about convincing the airlines and the Ministry of Transport that Sibu deserves better air connectivity, it is in the interest of every citizen no matter his or her political affiliation, ethnicity and religious belief.

It is most unlikely that the NGOs and members and supporters of the various political parties, including the opposition parties, will refuse to be part of the campaign when they know too well it is for the general good.

But it is most improper for the same campaign, the same 300,000 signatures to be used “to signify people’s love” for Chief Minister Adenan Satem.

A campaign to get 300,000 citizens of ripe age and sound mind “so that we can present a very strong case to the airlines and the Ministry of Transport” cannot be translated into the people’s expression of love for Adenan. It is just not right, morally and politically.

It is morally wrong because obviously a petition for an open sky cannot have anything to do with how people feel for Adenan.

It is politically wrong because members and supporters of opposition parties like DAP and PKR cannot be forced into loving Adenan all because they see the need for more direct flights in and out of Sibu.

So now, what is it? Is it a campaign for more direct flights or “to signify people’s love” for Adenan?

Wong can’t be jumbling everything into this campaign of his. If he wants the people of the central region of Sarawak to enjoy better air connectivity, he better tell them so.

The UPP president should know Sibu’s lack of air connectivity has nothing to do with how people feel for Adenan.

But if he wants them to join him and United People’s Party (UPP) in declaring his and his party’s love for Adenan, he better do that separately.

Come to think of it, does Adenan need to be convinced of the people’s love for him the way Wong wants to do it?

Is Adenan so starved of the people’s love that only a 300,000 signature campaign will give him a good night’s sleep?

I never believe Adenan is that kind of person, any such campaign only mocks the man who insists being himself and not be called “beloved” by fellow politicians.-The Ant Daily