KUCHING: SUPP deputy secretary-general Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has dismissed talks that he and his men boycotted the party’s triennial delegates conference (TDC) due to fear of losing the presidential race.
He made it clear that they would not reconcile or change their mind about the boycott as attending the TDC was akin to “legitimating the wrongdoings, malpractices and irregularities of the party.”
Speaking to the press here yesterday, Wong also clarified that there was “no intention of resigning” from the party although his men would not take part in the TDC today and tomorrow.
“We leave it to the wisdom of those who are going to participate in the TDC.”
Responding to outgoing president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan’s call not to boycott the TDC, Wong blasted: “I say he is not sincere!”
Wong claimed that Dr Chan and “the other side” had not kept their promise of deferring the TDC to a date after the general election so as to work out a compromise to avert a party election.
“People say we are afraid of losing, but it’s not true. We have been waiting for (presidential hopeful) Peter Chin to approach us. In fact, we have tried to approach him or the other side but they did not seem eager to talk.
“In fact, we made an appointment to see the other side on Dec 5, together with the presence of the Registrar of Societies and Deputy Home Minister, so that we would not go to an election that might split the party.”
Wong pointed out that the postponement of the TDC was pertinent to ensure a “cooling off period” to “save the party.”
“On the eve of the party election (a couple of days before), we (Wong’s camp, Dr Chan and Chin) met at the headquarters, and I made a proposal to defer the TDC until the parliamentary election.
“Dr George Chan agreed to it, but there were some voices from the other side saying it’s not possible. But in the end, we agreed that the TDC and party election could be postponed after ROS said we could go for it since the constitution says we must hold the TDC every three years.
“Hence, we fixed Dec 6 to iron things out and Dr Chan said both me and Chin should step aside and let the young lead the party. I immediately agreed and said I could let go on condition that my other five elected members must be in the team of leadership,” he said.
Wong said he was willing to relinquish the party post and that he expected Chin, as well as other election defeated candidates namely Datuk Sim Kheng Hui, Datuk David Teng, Datuk Alfred Yap and Datuk Lily Yong, to do the same.
“If I could forgo, there is no reason they couldn’t do it because I am more qualified than them. I am an elected representative and they are not as qualified as I am.
“After the meeting, the other side never responded. And later Dr Chan called to say: ‘Sorry Soon Koh, they have changed their mind, they refused to go. I’m told specifically that our party branch elections have gone wrong and that they must rectify according to the party’s constitution or risk being deregistered.”
Wong pointed out that his team would not want to legitimate irregularities within the party.
“If any eventualities, or be specific, if the party gets deregistered, we do not want to be a part of it.”
He added that the ROS had sent two warning letters to the party regarding irregularities of branch elections, so “we have to stay away.”
“This is the true story. All of us in my team love the party and we would like to save this party. We not only say it in words as I can tell you we’re trying it in deeds.”