KUCHING: SUPP has thus far kept mum to a suggestion that the state constitution be amended to have the BN government nominate non-elected representatives from the Chinese community to sit in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
The suggestion, which was made by Senator Datuk Idris Buang to The Borneo Post on Sunday, was not included in the agenda of SUPP’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held at its party headquarters here yesterday.
When asked on the party’s take on the suggestion, party treasurer Datuk David Teng replied: “The law does not allow the appointment of non-elected members to sit in the DUN.
“In Sarawak, there is no such provision to appoint non-elected members. In the federal government level, however, it is different as they have senators who could be appointed into the federal Cabinet.”
Vice-president Lily Yong, together with publicity and information secretary Datuk Alfred Yap, echoed Teng’s response.
However, CWC member Andy Chia preferred a different stand on the issue. He argued that the responses made by Teng, Yong and Yap were not warranted as the CWC had not even discussed it.
“I feel we should not comment on this. We are giving a press conference regarding our meeting. Whatever is not discussed earlier…we should not comment.”
The issue of nominating non-elected representatives from the Chinese community to sit in DUN arose due to SUPP’s humiliating defeat in the 10th state election where it lost 13 of the 15 urban seats it had contested.
Deputy secretary-general Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan) and CWC member Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin) were the only Chinese candidates who won for SUPP.
Concerned that the government would not have enough representatives for the Chinese community in the DUN, Idris proposed the amendment as he strongly felt that the Chinese community should be well represented in the BN government even though most of its Chinese candidates lost in the election.
The provision suggested by Idris is similar to what neighbouring Sabah had done decades ago. Sabah can appoint six members to their legislative assembly.
“The state should live up to its reputation as the most racially harmonious and tolerant state in the country by amending its constitution to appoint suitable individuals to the legislative assembly so that those appointed as non-elected representative would be able to take care of their respective communities,” Idris said.
On another matter, Teng made it clear that there
was never any question of SUPP leaving the state BN fold.
Based on ‘words on the ground’, a reporter had asked him whether the party’s defeat was due to its close alliance with Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
“It is only everybody’s guess.
“I’m sorry but I think you guys (the media) know better,” Teng responded.