KUCHING: Members of SUPP have been advised to stop talks about claiming all 19 seats traditionally allocated to the party. Instead, they should focus on working harder on the ground.
Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, in his word of advice to SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, said the party should prove its ability to serve the people and convince Barisan Nasional (BN)’s top leadership that it could produce quality and winnable candidates.
“Prof Dr Sim should ask his team to work on the ground, instead of (talking about) claiming all these seats. When the day comes, the chief minister will see who the winnable candidates would be. This is my sincere advice.
“Stop claiming 19 seats, 21 seats and so on – just work hard on the ground as whoever works the hardest, would definitely be recognised later on, automatically becoming the winnable candidate,” the United People’s Party (UPP) president told a press conference after the launching of UPP’s multi-million education fund here yesterday, which was also attended by its deputy president Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, senior vice-president Ranum Mina and its Youth chief Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa. Wong said with the state election looming, now would be the time for all parties to convince Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem – who is also state BN chairman – on the credential of their proposed candidates.
This, he added, was significant considering that SUPP lost 13 out of 19 seats to opposition parties in the 2011 state polls.
Wong also mentioned that UPP would continue to focus on its preparation for the next state election and at the same time, focus on going to the ground and engage with the people. The party, he said, would focus on areas that its candidates would have a good chance of being picked to represent BN, although he also reiterated that this would be Adenan’s prerogative. UPP had announced its plan to contest in 18 seats, traditionally allocated to SUPP. When asked on the number of seats UPP was hoping to be given and whether it would be allowed to use the BN symbol, Wong responded by saying that it would be best for the matter to be left to the wisdom of the chief minister.
“We are here to help and we believe that in many constituencies, we consider ourselves winnable.”
On a question whether Adenan had directly or indirectly given his consent for UPP to use the BN symbol, Wong nodded, hinting that consent had been given on several occasions.
On this matter, Dr Jerip said with Adenan allowing UPP leaders to continue working under BN network, it should serve as an indication that the chief minister wanted the party to continue working on the ground. He also pointed out that Adenan had allowed UPP to use all the necessary BN facilities.
“The party is working hard. We are thankful to the chief minister for giving us the confidence at this point of time to work under BN, to use its facilities and promote it because we are still supporters of BN. When the time comes, it is up to him (Adenan) to decide whether we are winnable or not.” On a matter whether BN had decided against endorsing UPP proposed candidates, Dr Jerip believed this would not serve the best interest to the wisdom of what Adenan had been doing – allowing UPP leaders to continue serving in the state cabinet.-Borneo Post
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