The ‘new’ SUPP team

WELL it has been a long road and there may be more battles ahead but the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Central Committee has been elected. 

Out of respect for this Barisan Nasional (BN) component and one of Sarawak’s oldest political parties, I won’t comment on the process of getting here. 

It is great to see Dr Sim Kui Hian has been elected to the CC.  During the last State election, although he did not win given his short time to really work in the constituency, there was no doubt that Dr Sim was a breath of fresh air for the party. 

He was actively reaching out to the people in person, in the media and most importantly online. 

He had the trust of the people and the crowds that were at SUPP ceramah were obviously there to see him. 

There is definitely hope for transformation in the party if he is part of its leadership. 

Newly-elected President Datuk Seri Peter Chin has said he is willing to put out an olive branch to the other camp led by Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. 

He said there were still several vacant posts in the Central Working Committee (CWC) and they might be offered to Wong and several of his followers if they were willing to accept. 

Datuk Seri Chin said he would personally try to get back to Wong’s group, who include Lanang Member of Parliament Datuk Tiong Thai King and State Assemblymen Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (Simanggang), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili), to ensure that they remained loyal to SUPP. 

Another positive sign was the election of the Youth wing last Thursday. 

It was a tight race as Tan Kai of Pending branch defeated Lawrence Kong from Piasau branch by just nine-votes to win the SUPP Youth chief post. 

After the results were announced, Kong gave Tan a hug in the spirit of comradeship. 

The defeated candidate was quoted as saying he was happy to see a friendly contest between him and Tan. 

The newly-elected Youth Chief said Kong would be offered the post of Youth vice-chief. 

Kong pointed out that the youth section had set an excellent example for SUPP’s central leadership with its smooth running of elections. 

“I believe this is a good sign and what the party central should learn from us,” he said.  Well said indeed. 

Meanwhile, Tan also said he would closely monitor the performance of SUPP’s top leaders “like an opposition member”. 

“I will make sure our party leaders follow through their transformation plan no matter who the next president is.” 

It looks like the Youth wing is certainly leading the way and there is hope true transformation will come. 

A report from The Star:

Peter Chin is new SUPP president; deputy is Richard Riot

KUCHING: Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui, 66, is the new president of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) as he won unopposed after his challenger, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, boycotted the election process for the 24th Central Committee (2012-2014) was held at the party headquarters on Sunday. 

Chin, who is the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, said he was thankful to the delegates for giving him their trust to continue to lead the second biggest Barisan Nasional (BN) component party in Sarawak. 

“I’m happy with the election today and certainly my task after this will be more challenging to rebuild the strength of the SUPP, and I will also go down on the ground to meet with grassroots leaders,” he told reporters. 

When asked about the fate of Wong, he said there were still several vacant posts in the Central Working Committee (CWC) and they might be offered to Wong and several of his followers if they were willing to accept. 

He said he would personally try to get back to Wong’s group, who included the Lanang Member of Parliament, Datuk Tiong Thai King and the State Assemblyman for Simanggang, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili), to ensure that they remained loyal to SUPP. 

He said the new CC line-up announced Sunday was also important to continue the implementation of the transformation plan in the party as outlined previously. 

“What is most important is to ensure that the SUPP remains in the BN to further strengthen the coalition at the state and national levels,” he said. 

Meanwhile, his deputy, Datuk Richard Riot said that his election in the party was an honour for the non-bumiputera members in the SUPP. 

He said it was a new milestone for the party and certainly the focus now was to assist the president to resolve any internal problem and to prepare the party to face the 13th general election. 

“To me, the party’s internal problem should be resolved within the party and boycotting is not the best way to resolve any problem,” he said. 

Tan succeeded Sih Hua Tong, 48, who did not seek re-election due to the age limit. 

After the results were announced, Kong gave Tan a hug in the spirit of comradeship. 

“I am happy to see a friendly contest between me and comrade Tan Kai.  We saw slim majority of votes during the election of central committee (CC),” said Kong. 

He pointed out that the youth section had set an excellent example for SUPP’s central leadership with its smooth running of elections. 

“I believe this is a good sign and what the party central should learn from us.” 

Meanwhile, Tan said he would closely monitor the performance of SUPP’s top leaders “like an opposition member”. 

“I will make sure our party leaders follow through their transformation plan no matter who the next president is.” 

He disclosed that Kong was offered the post of Youth vice-chief. 

“I told him I would need him as a vice-chief and he said ‘You make your own decision’.” 

It took polling agents over two hours to the count votes. 

At 10.05pm, the seven-member election committee announced a list of 72 elected CC members from 131 nominees. 

The election committee had to pick one of four elected CC members, who garnered the same number of votes. 

Chieng Boung Ong of Bintangor branch was made the 72nd CC member while the committee decided that William Ling (Sarikei), Ngu Tiong Kai (Limbang) and Yew Siew Bun (Pujut) would be CC reserves. 
Nine vote majority for new Youth chief