By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 4: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian will let the actions of those returning to the fold of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) do the talking, instead of judging them, but he remains wary of the “anai-anai” (termites) that could threaten the unity, stability and strength of the current Sarawak political ecosystem.
The Deputy Premier also denied that the party’s relationship with Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) has been strained.
“Who says… my Deputy is Datuk Penguang (Manggil) and we are working very well together,” he told reporters after officiating the flag-raising ceremony in conjunction with the party’s 65th anniversary celebration at SUPP Headquarters today.
He was responding to concerns of a rift between SUPP and PDP within the GPS coalition, following SUPP’s announcement of a local councillor Kelvin Lau as the potential candidate for the Bawang Assan seat, which has been helmed by Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh since 1991, in the next Sarawak polls.
Wong, the former Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president and current PDP senior vice president, had responded to this candidacy announcement by telling Dr Sim to “shut up”.
Dr Sim emphasised the importance of trust in politics, stating that constituents would not support a candidate who deceives them.
“Would you want to vote for someone who always deceives you, unless you are really so ignorant and willing to be deceived?
“Trust is beyond money. It is sacred. You wouldn’t want to be friends or be close to someone you don’t trust right. If you promise to do something but later changed 180 degrees, are you fighting for personal interests or for the people? To me, trust is at every level,” he said.
Recalling the constant advice of Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who warned that both internal and external termites could cause cracks in Sarawak’s unity and stability, Dr Sim hopes people will recognise that Sarawak’s accomplishments today are due to its people coming together to form a formidable team focused on the “big things”.
“There will be termites everywhere, even inside our party. If Sarawak wants to be stronger, stability must be there, which is crucial because we have big things to do at the moment.
“We all have different views on things but we must prioritise the big picture which is currently nation building for Sarawak,” he pointed out.
Noting Sarawak is making strides in its tenacious effort to advance, Dr Sim mentioned that Peninsular Malaysia admires Sarawak and wishes their government could achieve similar progress.
“They envy our unity, how progressive we have become, spending energy and time making things happen instead of quarreling over small things. I hope everyone else can learn Sarawak’s ways of doing things. There is no need to be ‘mata merah’ (envious) because we want others to do well too,” he added.
Moving ahead, Dr Sim expressed a desire for more young people to rise up and take on challenges within the party, as well as an increase in women’s leadership.
Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng as well as party veterans, leaders and members were present. — DayakDaily
