By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, July 12: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian welcomes Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and Party Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh to return to the party’s fold.
Naming vice president of PSB Ranum Mina and youth chief Dr Johnichal Rayong, Dr Sim extended invitation to all former SUPP leaders and members who left the party for PSB, which was then known as United People’s Party (UPP), a splinter party of SUPP.
“Regarding Dr Jerip, I have always said in the past, and will continue to say that, those from SUPP, we always welcome them back. The door is always open, and I haven’t changed. I am the only one who is consistent, (I have) never change.
“I hope not only Dr Jerip. Ranum (Mina) and the other YB (Johnichal) and those members who were once our members, we welcome them back.
“Any new members who joined them and they believe in our vision and mission – fighting for Sarawak – we welcome them all. There is no question about that,” said Dr Sim this morning at Pesta MINDA and STEM 2019 held at Chung Hua Middle School No 1 here.
When asked by the press if that included Soon Koh, Dr Sim said did not answer direct but said the party welcome everyone.
“To strengthen Sarawak you need inclusiveness and not exclusiveness.
“I said – we welcome everybody. I always say inclusive and not exclusive,” said Dr Sim.
When the press further asked if he set any conditions for PSB’s leaders and members to return, Dr Sim stressed that there was no condition.
“We always welcome them. Since when we set condition? We never set condition.”
Dr Sim said the party has been holding the stance that for the sake of unity of Sarawak, the people and the politicians needed to stay united.
Dr Sim was responding to the question from the press with regards to Dr Jerip who dropped a bombshell yesterday announcing his resignation from PSB.
Dr Jerip who was PSB’s deputy president tendered his resignation from the party with immediate effect. The Assistant Transport Minister in a press release said the reason was because he has confidence in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to bring development to rural constituencies.
Dr Jerip also expressed support for GPS president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s initiative to protect Sarawak’s rights and interests before stressing that he made his decision for the greater interest of the Bidayuh unity.— DayakDaily
