KUCHING, Feb 17: DAPSY Kuching claims that Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) cannot even nominate its own election candidates.
Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Kuching chief Michael Kong today pointed to the Mambong and Dudong candidacies for the Sarawak Election on Dec 18 as evidence.
“It is an open secret that SUPP cannot nominate its own candidates for any elections.
“Take a look at the Mambong and Dudong seats which were given to PBB’s (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and PDP’s (Progressive Democratic Party) Dato Sri Tiong King Sing respectively during the recently concluded 12th Sarawak State Election.
“Even (SUPP president Dato Sri) Dr Sim Kui Hian admitted that he was shocked at the decision and lamented that SUPP was not consulted on the matter before a decision was made,” said Kong in a statement today.
He said unlike SUPP, Sarawak DAP decides on which seats it will contest after discussion with fellow Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties. He pointed out Sarawak DAP also chooses its own candidates for the seats contested and the Letters of Credentials (Watikah) are issued and signed by the chairman of Sarawak DAP Sarawak.
Kong asserted that at no time does DAP Malaysia interfere in Sarawak DAP’s decision-making due to the understanding over Sarawak’s autonomy pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Therefore, it is ironic and oxymoronic for Soo Li Ching, political secretary to the Chief Minister, who is a SUPP member to point fingers and accuse DAP Sarawak of being subservient and taking instructions from DAP Malaysia,” said Kong.
On Feb 12, Soo had issued a statement saying that DAP Sarawak is just a chess piece of and agent for DAP Malaysia which does not prioritise the interests of Sarawak.
She expressed disappointment in Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen for still being in denial that Sarawak DAP had been sidelined by its comrades.
According to Kong who is a Special Assistant to Chong, not only is Chong the chairman of Sarawak DAP, the latter is also the vice-chairman for the Disciplinary Committee of the DAP Malaysia.
“By holding such a high-ranking position on a national platform, it debunks the false rhetoric by Soo Li Ching that DAP Sarawak is being marginalised,” said Kong.
He said unlike many members of component parties within the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, DAP subscribes to the notion of building a better Malaysia through better policies.
“That is why none of the DAP Sarawak’s MPs are so greedy for power that they would misuse Sarawak’s autonomy for their own benefit and insist on being appointed as a minister.
“Till this very day, DAP Sarawak is built premised on the foundations of the welfare and wellbeing of Sarawakians. This struggle for Sarawakians can be seen from consistent service over the last four decades; through thick and thin,” said Kong. — DayakDaily
