He said all of them, including former UPP president Wong Soon Koh, who was named as the direct candidate for Bawang Assan, had pledged their loyalty to the party as well as to the ruling coalition to ensure victory in the impending state election.

“Their resignation does not mean they are disloyal to the party,” he said, adding that the resignation was done in line with BN’s constitution which stipulated former UPP members had to resign in order to stand in the election.

Lo said this at a press conference held at Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s office here.
Adenan had previously asked all BN direct candidates to resign from the party to stand in the election as BN candidates.

Lo also said UPP would help all component parties, including their rival, SUPP, during the campaign period, adding he expected other BN component parties to “return the favour”.

UPP is the breakaway party of SUPP.

Lo also said that a stronger showing by the UPP direct candidates and the party’s support for BN would increase their chances to be made part of BN.

Meanwhile. Wong hoped that direct candidates from UPP, namely Wong Hua Kiong and Janet Lau, would be allowed to stand in Meradong and Pelawan respectively.

“We are confident they can win there.”