SUPP Organising Secretary Matthew Chen Thin Kong said the gag order was effective immediately and disciplinary action would be taken against members who failed to comply with the ruling.

“If anyone wants to issue any media statements, they have to go through us first.

“If they go on without the approval and something happens, disciplinary action may be taken against them,” Chen told a press conference today.

Chen denied the order was made following the issuance of SUPP’s Pending candidate Milton Foo’s “open letter” last week, where the latter had expressed disappointment over state Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s decision to field BN direct candidates in traditional SUPP seats.

“No. This is just a party rule,” said Chen.

SUPP also ordered party members to concentrate on the seats it is contesting and not to “meddle” in other areas.

“We will not create problems in areas not contested by SUPP. We are a legal member of the BN. We abide by the coalition’s orders,” said Chen.

He did not say whether the prohibition applied to areas contested by BN direct candidates linked to UPP, which splintered from SUPP two years ago after an internal conflict.