Chin a lone ranger, for now

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MIRI: SUPP organising secretary Datuk Seri Peter Chin, who is eyeing the party’s presidency, said yesterday that he doesn’t have anyone in mind as yet in “his camp” as he could work with anybody.

“People have speculated that I have (treasurer) Datuk David Teng and (secretary-general) Datuk Sim Kheng Hui, but here I’m telling you that I don’t have any line-up.

“I can work with anybody as my intention is to make the party stronger,” he told reporters after presenting prizes for Miri LA 21’s ‘The Best Adoption Village Award 2009/2010’ at Pustaka Miri.

On his decision to challenge deputy secretary-general Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh for the presidency during the triennial delegates conference (TDC) this coming Dec 9-11, Chin said he was sad that his sincerity in wanting to rejuvenate the ailing party had been misunderstood by certain quarters.

“My main intention is to revive SUPP and make it stronger than before. I’m just offering my service to the delegates as an alternative … not to gain monetary rewards should I become party president.

“To me, it is alright if I’m not elected during the TDC. For sure there won’t be any hard feelings. I leave it wide open to the members to choose based on their wisdom,” he said.

Chin hoped that the election for the top post would be a ‘fair and clean’ one and be viewed as a “friendly family matter”.

“I hope they (party members) will come out in full force during the TDC. This is the chance for members to exercise their right as they know what is best for the party,” he added.

On his transformation plan for the party, Chin said he would announce it to the members sometime next week, but it won’t be publicised.

“This is a party election and focus should be given to the party members. It is sufficient to only let party members have a clear picture about the sort of transformation plan we have in mind.

“After the election, whoever becomes the president can then talk openly to the public,” he reasoned.

Chin refused to answer questions on whether he would step down as a party official if he were to lose his Parliamentary seat in the next election and if he had anyone in mind to succeed him if he were to win the party’s presidential race.