Sarawak Chinese body urges SUPP and UPP to merge
Leaderships of both parties should bury their differences for the greater good of the community, says local federation of Chinese associations.
KUCHING: The Federation of Chinese Associations, Kuching, Samarahan & Serian Divisions want the United People’s Party (UPP) to rejoin the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) for the sake of unity.
Its president Richard Wee expressed hope that SUPP would accept UPP to strengthen Chinese representation in the state government.
The Borneo Post quoted Wee as saying, “It is our fervent hope that they can come together and be united to better represent our Chinese community in our government in Sarawak.
“The split in Chinese representation between SUPP and UPP has caused much distress and mistrust within our community and the end result is that our community has suffered and languished.”
Wee said this at the Federation of Chinese Associations, Kuching, Samarahan & Serian Divisions, Sarawak 2017 Chinese New Year cum 38th anniversary celebration dinner at a hotel here on Sunday.
Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and his wife Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang were the chief guests.
UPP was founded in 2014 by disgruntled SUPP leaders.
Wee said he hoped the leadership of both parties would bury their differences and focus on the greater good of the Chinese community.
Wee also took the opportunity to request that the annual grant to Chinese schools in Sarawak be formalised and made part of the state budget in the future.
“If this can be achieved, it will not only provide long term permanent assistance to our schools from the state government, it will also be remembered as your (Abang Johari) legacy in enhancing Tok Nan’s (former chief minister Adenan Satem) gift to the Chinese community in the support of Chinese education,” Wee said.
He also proposed that a “Unity Night” be organised on an annual basis.
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“The various associations could take turns to be the organiser and it can be slotted as one of the events when we celebrate Sarawak Day annually,” The Borneo Post quoted Wee as saying.