Do attend CWC meeting, Chin tells Soon Koh and group

 

Posted on January 9, 2012, Monday

MIRI: The doors are open for Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and his faction to attend the newly-minted SUPP central working committee (CWC)’s first meeting in Kuching as observers on Jan 13. Recently-elected party president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said they could attend as it was provided for by the party’s constitution. “On Jan 13, please come. Don’t stay away,” said Chin, who is also Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, yesterday.

The assemblymen in Wong’s camp are Ranum Mina (Opar), Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Datuk Francis Harden (Simanggang), Dr Johnical Rayong (Engkilili) and Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin). The other in the group is Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King.

All seven boycotted the triennial delegates’ conference (TDC) which was held in Kuching from Dec 9-11 last year, but after the election of the new office bearers, Chin specifically requested that seven positions in the party be left vacant. “The idea is to offer these vacant slots to Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and his group. Hopefully, they will accept it. This matter is on the agenda of the coming (CWC) meeting. “I sincerely want to heal the party. I don’t want people or member to see that the party has this team or that faction as it could divide or weaken party unity. That’s my wish,” Chin said when approached by reporters covering `Children Education Fund – Financial Assistance for Single Mothers Group’ at SUPP Piasau branch office yesterday.

Asked about the possibility of SUPP being deregistered by the Registrar of Society (ROS), Chin said: “Let’s put it this way. In every party election, even in Umno, there are bound to be irregularities, if you study it carefully. “Some branches cannot see eye to eye, and they just cannot get along together, such as the case in Bintangor. If we consider this as an irregularity, then we cannot escape from it.”

However, Chin said he would leave the matter to ROS to decide. “At this juncture, if I say more, then Dato Sri Wong will also say something. Then, at the end of the day, nothing will be resolved. So, the best thing is to let ROS do their investigation. “I put my full trust in them, and I hope Dato Sri does too. Once ROS has made their decision, we go back to Barisan Nasional (BN) and work for both the party and BN to ensure that it still controls the majority of Sarawak.” Chin opined that this was the only way they could strengthen the party and government. “This is what we all want, and what SUPP wants. We all want BN to still become the government. I’m sure that whatever we are doing, we try to do our best and continue doing it. If BN loses and cannot form the government, I cannot imagine what’s going to happen.” Chin said he believed if the party worked hard, it would be able to overcome whatever challenges which comes its way, including those from the DAP. “Although we are challenged by DAP, if we work hard, if we tell the rakyat sincerely about what we are doing, and that we are sincere in serving them, then I am sure they would understand and give their support to us.” Chin said in politics, the bottom line is to serve the people well, and not by giving lip service. “You can promise a lot of things, but what is important is your track record. I, therefore, appeal to the rakyat to please think of our track record come polling time.”

On Piasau and Pujut, which fell to the DAP in the 10th state election last year, Chin said SUPP still serviced the constituents in these two constituencies. “The basic thing is sincerity in wanting to serve the people. In time of difficulties, the people will depend on the government or elected people’s representatives for help.” Asked whether he would stand in the 13th general election, Chin said this subject was unlikely to be discussed during the coming CWC meeting. “Right now, I have not made a final decision on this matter. I have been working closely with Datuk Sebastian Ting, as my political secretary. He has been performing a lot of duties, while I carry out my ministerial duties in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere. “Now that I have another job, which is the president of the party, he (Ting) would probably have to do a lot more for me. So, I have to judge the level of acceptance of the voters in Miri first. “I will discuss with the chief minister, who is state BN leader, before making my decision whether I should stand or just concentrate on my duties as leader of the party.”