Chinese-dominated Sarawak United Peoples' Party has denied that a major split within its ranks is looming.
KUCHING: Dayaks in six constituencies saved Chinese-dominated Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) from going into political oblivion following its embarrassing outing in the 10th state election last Saturday.
But whether the party will recognise their contribution is left to be seen.
According to an inside source, the beleagured party is divided on the issue.
SUPP contested in 19 seats, but lost 13 to the opposition coalition. Except for Bawang Assan and Senadin, SUPP lost to DAP in all Chinese-majority areas.
SUPP’s highly disputed win in Senadin is still a sore point with the opposition PKR. PKR candidate Dr Michael Teo lost the seat to SUPP’s Lee Khim Shin by 58 postal votes.
Of the 1,134 postal votes, Teo, who plans to lodge a formal protest with the Election Commission (EC), secured 54.
Lee obtained 7,334 votes to defeat Teo who garnered 7,276.
SUPP, however, somewhat saved by victories in Dayak-majority constituencies of Simanggang (Francis Harden), Bengoh (Jerip Susil), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Engkilili (Johnical Rayong).
But at today’s SUPP central working committee meeting, the decision on whether to appoint the elected representatives to ministerial posts in Taib Mahmud’s Cabinet became a heated issue.
No split
According to the FMT source, some SUPP CWC members were against the idea, saying that “none from the party” should be appointed as ministers following its disastrous showing.
The source said the leaders were split on the issue of remaining with the Sarawak BN and “promoting” their Dayak representatives.
He said the leaders were also concerned that both Bawang Assan (Wong Soon Koh) and Senadin (Lee) were won on Iban votes.
“Some are not happy to promote the Dayak reps. They say it will make them bolder. Last year, we had problems with our Bidayuh members,” the source said.
He was alluding to the Bidayuh community’s discontent over not being appointed to state and federal ministerial posts.
SUPP is traditionally a Chinese party divided along Hokkein and Foochow lines. Elected assemblymen from both communities have dominated party positions at all levels.
Meanwhile, former assistant agriculture and food industries minister, David Teng, denied speculations that SUPP was heading for a major split.
Referring to the CWC meeting, Teng, who acted as the CWC spokesman, said: “There was no disagreement.
“The CWC strongly recommended our Dayak representatives be appointed to ministerial posts.”
When asked by reporters why Wong, who is SUPP deputy secretary-general, left the meeting in a huff, Teng said: “He had a meeting to attend.”
He also denied that SUPP will leave BN.
Yesterday, SUPP president Dr George Chan announced his resignation from the party. Six-term incumbent Chan lost his seat to DAP greenhorn Ling Sie Kong by 1,950 votes.
The CWC meeting had apparently rejected Chan’s letter. It had also refused to accept party secretary-general Sim Kheng Hui’s resignation.
Backdoor for non-elected reps
Meanwhile Senator Idris Buang has reportedly suggested that the state constitution be amended to include a provision to allow the state BN government to nominate non-elected representatives from the Chinese community to sit in the State Legislative Assembly.
He told Borneo Post that the community should be represented in the government even though most of the Chinese BN candidates lost in the election.
Neighbouring state, Sabah, had apparently done such amendments to its constitution decades ago to allow for the appointment of six members friendly to the ruling coalition to be appointed to its State Legislative Assembly.
