SIBU, Aug 10: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian has hit back at a claim that the candidate for Dudong seat at the next state election should be from another component party.
Speaking to reporters after witnessing the swearing-in of the new Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman Cr Wong Ching Yong today, Dr Sim said as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) always inculcated the spirit of unity, there is a proper mechanism among component parties to discuss on seat allocation.
He said this when asked to comment on a recent statement made by Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Dudong branch chairman Cr Teo Boon Siew that his president, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing should be the candidate for Dudong in the coming state election.
Dudong seat, since the 1970 election, has traditionally been SUPP seat except in the last state election when it was given to a direct candidate, Datuk Tiong Thai King who later won it.
“I have said that with the coming of the state election, GPS needs to have a strong unity. Those who have been championing through the newspapers are attention seekers because there is a mechanism for us to discuss (on seats),” Dr Sim said.
He said, moreover, GPS had in the past stated that its election candidates should be from the same area in which they are contesting.
“GPS has in the past always said that it is very challenging for the people’s representative to serve two different areas. A YB should be the one who is available to the people in that area. Can you imaging, if you are a YB in Bintulu and you are (actually) living in Kuching,” he said.
According to Dr Sim, he had held several meetings with GPS chairman, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on SUPP candidates for the 20 seats which it would be contesting in the election.
Previously, SUPP Dudong had also told PDP not to become a termite in GPS for staking a claim for the seat.
“We would like to remind Cr Teo that as GPS is gearing up for the impending state election, unity is the most important element. The Chief Minister said that GPS needs consensus and unity,” it said.
Abang Johari, according to the branch, had also emphasised that he rejected termites in GPS.
It reminded Cr Teo to take heed of the advice of the Chief Minister and not to turn PDP as a termite in GPS.
SUPP Dudong branch is of the strong view that the candidate for Dudong must be a member of SUPP Dudong branch.
It had on Aug 19, 2019, resolved unanimously that its branch chairman Wong Ching Yong is the only candidate representing SUPP to contest in the coming state election.-DayakDaily
