KUCHING, Dec 14: The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) headquarters here has been repainted in preparation to host the upcoming triennial delegates conference (TDC) that will see contest for state oldest party’s top posts.
Scheduled to be held from Dec 21 to 23, the TDC will see direct elections for the party’s top five posts — president, two deputy presidents, secretary-general, and treasurer, for the first time.
It is learnt that two names had been mentioned for the new deputy president post, who are newly formed Bukit Assek branch chairman Chieng Buong Toon and Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
Lee, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, is currently holding the post of Vice-President 3 in the party.
The current bearers of the other top four posts are expected to be reelected, who are Dr Sim Kui Hian as party president, Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, Datuk Sebastian Ting as secretary-general and Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing as treasurer.
The name list of current office-bearers in the SUPP Central Working Committee may be viewed at http://www.1supp.org.my/main/?page_id=25
The focus is also on Riot, six-term Serian MP, who has been embroiled in political uncertainties after his political secretary Major (Retired) Datuk Peter Runin was nabbed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for embezzlement involving RM40 million.
A local daily had reported that Riot, who is also Human Resources Minister, had missed official functions, allegedly to avoid media.
This is the first time that the party’s top five posts will be directly elected by delegates. In the past, delegates elected the central committee (CC) and then the CC elected office bearers.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to close the TDC on Dec 23.
The SUPP Youth and Women’s wing will have their respective elections on Dec 21.
All 50 SUPP branches and 30 sub-branches completed their respective elections last month.
A total of 517 delegates from across the state are expected to attend the TDC.
The last TDC in 2014 was a smooth one with Dr Sim elected as president after previously serving as secretary-general. — DayakDaily
