KUCHING, Feb 16: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is calling upon not just members of its splinter party United People’s Party (UPP) but also those from Democratic Action Party (DAP) to come and join SUPP to fight for a stronger Sarawak.
He said most DAP elected representatives have their roots in SUPP, so it was only right if they come back to their roots so they can effectively contribute to a stronger Sarawak.
Speaking during SUPP’s Chinese New Year 2018 open house at its headquarters here this morning, Dr Sim said his party should not just focus on UPP alone, but recruit the effort of every person, including those from DAP to ensure that the Chinese community was well represented in the state.
“This is what I mean by a stronger Sarawak. In fact did you know that Tanjung Batu assemblyman (Chiew Chiu Sing from DAP) was an SUPP member before? Also, did you know that (Bandar Kuching MP who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman and state DAP chairman) Chong Chieng Jen’s father (Chong Siew Chiang) was also a former SUPP member?
“I’m not only calling on UPP. Do not limit ourselves to just a small group. We are talking about unity and a stronger Sarawak; that means we are calling on everybody. Nowadays the leadership is fresh and new — yellow shirt. Our former party president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam wore an orange shirt today — different. That means we now are different from last time,” Dr Sim told reporters after sending off Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who came for the party’s open house earlier.
Apart from former members and those who have their roots in SUPP, Dr Sim also called upon young people to join SUPP as within 10 years time, about 70 per cent of its leadership will be retiring.
“This is my fourth year as party president. So I have five years left. Therefore I call upon new young members to come in. The maximum (time) I would have would be five more years, then I would have served for three terms as party president. Many of us (party members) will be retiring in the next 10 years. From my rough calculation, that would make up to 70 per cent of us.
“No other political party in Sarawak will have 70 per cent (of its) leadership retiring in the next 10 years. Look at DAP, still the same faces for the last 10 years and even the next 10 years. So please come and join us for a chance to really contribute,” he said.
Asked if UPP had responded to the call by Abang Johari to return to SUPP, Dr Sim said as far as he was concerned, he and the party’s leadership have always been waiting for them to return with open arms, adding that he would even propose and endorse their application to come back to the party. — DayakDaily
