Only one list from SUPP

by Lian Cheng

KUCHING: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) will submit only one candidates list for the coming general election.

This was stressed by Sibu branch chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh when asked by The Borneo Post if his faction within the party would submit a separate list from the one drawn up by party president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.

“There will be no separate list. It is out of the question,” Wong said, denying strongly that he had his own separate list.

He explained that there was no possibility of two SUPP candidate lists as the final decision

on candidacy would rest with Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak and its state chairman Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“As a state minister and SUPP Sibu chairman, my priority is to discharge my ministerial responsibility and local leadership dutifully.

“For the coming election, I will put aside party dispute and leave it to Registrar of Societies (ROS),” he said referring to the on-going dispute in the party.

“Meantime, we all have to work hard to defend SUPP seats in the pending general election,” Wong said.

The Local Government and Community Development Minister stressed that this was the advice from both the prime minister and the chief minister.

“ I will devote all my energy to the preparation of defending Lanang seat and wresting the Sibu seat. It is a heavy responsibility,” said Wong.

SUPP is allocated seven parliamentary seats in the state namely, Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Serian, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri.

Wong explained that as he held no post in the central leadership, he was in no position to help the party in other constituencies in the coming election.

“As I have no position in the so called central leadership, I have no decision making authority, I cannot involve in helping to campaign in other constituencies apart from the two seats in Sibu.

“And there has been no call from Datuk Seri Peter Chin himself to request for any help in other constituencies anyway,” said the Sibu SUPP chief.

Saying that it was his paramount duty to defend Lanang and win back Sibu, Wong said one of his attempts to ensure victory was to unite the Chinese leaders in Sibu by patching up the dispute between the United Chinese Association (UCA) and the Federation of Seven Clan Association.

He said his effort had been successful and now the Chinese community in Sibu was united to face the upcoming general polls.

“For example, UCA has invited the Federation of Seven Clan Association to join in the Borneo Cultural Festival and the latter joined gladly, making it a success.”