By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 13: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kuching branch chairwoman Datuk Lily Yong has urged members to remain calm and not let the N09 Padungan candidacy issue demoralise their spirit.
Although disappointed with the last-minute change of candidate, Yong said personally, she always believed that SUPP is the best choice to serve the people, having been with the party for 43 long years.
“I was deeply saddened by this last-minute change of candidate, but I want to make it clear that the issues within the party should be resolved within the party as I do not want this matter to be taken advantage of and manipulated by those with ulterior motives.
“We should come together to right what has been done wrong and safeguard the party’s collective decision-making (principle) and revitalise the party.
“The party will only progress further if we respect and act in accordance with our Party’s Constitution,” she said during SUPP Kuching branch’s pre-Christmas dinner gathering at a restaurant here today.
Yong was referring to the candidacy of N09 Padungan in which Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has fielded Dato Wee Hong Seng, who is also the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor, as the winnable candidate to wrest the seat which has been the stronghold of Democratic Action Party (DAP) since 2011.
As it has been the usual practice that candidates are proposed by party’s branches with Padungan being the traditional seat of SUPP and thus comes under the Kuching branch, she explained that the branch has initially nominated its treasurer Jong Yean Pin.
She added that Jong and branch deputy chairman Bong Lian Huan have been identified as the potential candidates for the Padungan seat in the 12th Sarawak Election.
The two young leaders have put in a lot of effort and carried out extensive groundwork to reach out and serve the community for the past two to three years in preparation for this election.
Even though met with disappointment and criticisms, Yong emphasised that SUPP Kuching branch will continue to support Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to lead GPS and the Sarawak government.
Both Bong and Jong also took the opportunity to express their deepest gratitude to everyone including branch members, community leaders and councillors for their unreserved support, guidance and advice as well as the press for providing coverage for their activities throughout the years.
They vowed to move forward strongly and continue serving the constituents and people of Sarawak while upholding the struggles of SUPP, despite the setbacks. — DayakDaily
