KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) plans to set up branches in all state and parliamentary constituencies traditionally allocated to SUPP.
Its leader Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said this was the logical thing to do as “we have support in all these areas”.
However, he was quick to point out that the plan to set up branches in SUPP areas should not be construed as an act to go against SUPP, adding: “We want to work together.”
Wong said BN would select the most winnable candidates come the next election, and therefore, UPP would work closely with SUPP towards this end.
“The selection of candidates will be based on winnability. BN always has the wisdom to elect the most winnable candidates. We have to conserve our resources to win back seats currently held by the opposition.”
The establishment of UPP branches would begin after the party is launched on Aug 16, during which its interim leadership would also be announced, he said.
UPP is also looking at the possibility of enhancing its presence in places such as Limbang, Kanowit and Kapit.
“The party and its logo will be launched in Kuching on Aug 16. Similar launches will also be done in Sibu and Miri the following weeks to inform the community of UPP.
“After that, we will set up branches as approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS). ROS usually gives us three months to set up branches, for which we go for quality instead of quantity,” he told reporters at his office in Bangunan Baitul Makmur here yesterday.
Wong, who is Minister of Local Government and Community Development cum Second Minister of Finance, said UPP looked forward to getting strong support from the Chinese community, particularly the younger generation.
“UPP will be there for those who are disappointed with their political party. We are hoping to restore faith and grow stronger together with them. It is also to reunite all forces to avoid being marginalised.
“We hope to be in the mainstream of politics because I do not think going to the opposition is what we want to see. I can foresee that BN will continue to rule Sarawak for many years to come.”
He said DAP in Kuching had been given the political power for a couple of years, but he wondered what the opposition party had done to benefit the people of the city.
Thus, he said, it was time for the community to reflect deeply on the choices they had made and focus on the party that could lead them into the future.
“The people should assess whether what DAP had done is beneficial to them or not.”
Asked on UPP’s chances of being accepted into BN, Wong said: “We are already in BN. The fact that I am still a senior minister and still performing my duty means I am still in BN.”