Will UPP be SUPP without the ‘S’?

Wong denies link with United People’s Party, a new party expected to be approved tomorrow

KUCHING: The similarity between United People’s Party (UPP), one of the five new political parties based in the state expected to be approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) tomorrow, and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has led political pundits to believe that the new party would be SUPP in disguise.

Several political blogs claimed that UPP is being registered to replace SUPP in the event the latter was deregistered by ROS.

UPP has also been linked to the faction led by Sibu division chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh in SUPP’s internal dispute.

However, Wong was quick to dismiss talks that UPP is associated with him and the five other state assemblymen aligned to him when contacted yesterday.

To prove his denial, Wong, who is a Senior Minister told anyone linking the new party to his faction to check with ROS on the people behind its formation.

Describing the claims as “outrageous”, Wong said. “There is nothing secretive about it. You can check with the ROS. The talk is just mere speculation. We have no knowledge of it (UPP) and as far as we are concerned, we just wait for the final decision from ROS on SUPP,” he said referring to ROS show cause letter which SUPP had replied.

Wong, who is Bawang Assan assemblyman, explained that they would be making their next political move only after the ROS had decided on the fate of SUPP.

The five other state assemblymen linked to Wong are are Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (Simanggang), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin) Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili). While Wong is also Second Finance Minister, Harden, Lee and Dr Jerip are assistant ministers.

Meanwhile, if words from the political grapevines were proven true tomorrow, then Sarawak will have five more parties joining its already crowded political arena.

A reliable source told The Borneo that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) would announce the approval of 20 new parties, five of which would be based in the state.

Besides United People’s Party (UPP) the other Sarawak-based parties are Parti Tenaga Rakyat (TERAS), PBDS Baru, Peace Party and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB).

TERAS has long been said to be associated with the sacked office bearers of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) who are also people’s elected representatives namely; Datuk Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru); Datuk Sylvester Entrie (Marudi); Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) and Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe (former Mas Gading MP).

However, Nansian speaking on behalf of the group yesterday denied any connection with TERAS and stressed that they would only join any existing Barisan Nasional (BN) party except SPDP.

Meanwhile, both BN Dayak based component parties, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and SPDP have stated that they were unperturbed by the possible formation of PBDS Baru or TERAS as they were confident of taking care of the welfare of the Dayaks.- theborneopost