KUCHING, April 24: A special agreement was inked to prevent Andrew Wong from changing party if he wins the Sibu parliamentary seat on Sarawak United People’s Party’s (SUPP) ticket.
SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian told reporters that they had learnt from past experiences and are “a bit smarter” in drafting their agreement letters now.
“We have signed a letter; we are a bit smarter in (the) letter,” he told reporters when met after the announcement of the state Basisan Nasional (BN) 14th general election (GE14) candidates here today and asked about measures to prevent candidates from quitting and re-joining their previous party.
Wong, son of United People’s Party president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, had quit UPP and joined SUPP, in order to contest under BN’s banner in the Sibu parliamentary seat. Soon Koh will retire after his current term as Bawang Assan assemblyman ends.
SUPP and UPP had in March signed an agreement that they would collaborate under the SUPP flag in GE14.
Wong is the only candidate from UPP, while all other SUPP’s traditional seats will see the fielding of SUPP candidates, comprising incumbent Datuk Richard Riot (Serian), new face Kelvin Kong (Lanang), new face Kho Teck Wan (Bandar Kuching), Repok assemblyman Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii (Sarikei) and Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting (Miri). Sim will contest in the Stampin seat.
When asked for his comments on successfully bringing SUPP and UPP together, Sim said: “It is never easy, (but the) Chinese community realised that at some stage (they) need unity under SUPP. I try my best towards that, we want to move on to the next generation.”
However, when asked how many UPP members had submitted forms to join SUPP, Dr Sim refused to divulge further, only adding that their focus is on fighting this war.
Without mentioning names, Dr Sim also said that it is best to give way to younger people because they have the pace and energy to travel.
“I am 53-years-old. After five or six years, I will give way to young people. I don’t believe in sitting in the position when I cannot do the job more than 100 per cent. I won’t want to ‘tidur’ (sleep) on the job,” he said. — DayakDaily
