Wong chides SUPP for road name campaign

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Wong (left) addresses the press. Also seen is Pau Kiew Chuang, a political secretary to the Chief Minister.

KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) pioneer committee chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh chided five Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) branches in Sibu for embarking on a signature campaign to have the road leading to the former Lau King Howe Hospital named after the hospital’s namesake.

He said their actions were akin to that of opposition parties, trying to pressure the government
through signature campaigns.

“The five SUPP branches in Sibu went on a signature campaign on Wednesday (Nov 26) to urge or put pressure on the government to have this road named after Lau King Howe, a philanthropist who made great contributions for the people of Sibu such as the construction of the first hospital in the central region in 1936.

“However, as a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN), they should not resort to this and it looks like they have learnt from DAP (Democratic Action Party) in starting a signature campaign,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Wong, who is Bawang Assan assemblyman, said it is unnecessary for SUPP to resort to signature campaigns to get their message across as the Chinese community in Sibu would agree the road should be named after Lau.

“But I would like to bring to the attention of SUPP Sibu leaders the remarks made by Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee in the recently concluded State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, that there are racial sensitivities in regards to naming the road.

“According to him (Dr Annuar), this is the original settlement of the Malay and Melanau community dating back as early as 1770 and Sir James Brooke arrived only 80 years later. There was also a Malay-Melanau cemetery in the area and this area was also a spot where Rosli Dhobi assassinated Sir Duncan George Stewart, the second governor of Sarawak,” he said.

Wong said Dr Annuar himself also felt a sentimental attachment towards the naming of the road because he was born there and had also worked there.

“In fact, he also told me that his mother was a nurse who worked at the hospital until she retired,” he said.

“So Dr Annuar and Malay community leaders have argued that for historical background, we should think twice before naming this road.”

Wong pointed out that Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) had deliberated on this issue for the past two years.

“SMC probably has the same feeling that the road should be named after Lau King Howe but we also have to take care of racial sensitivities, in other words the reaction of the Malay-Melanau community in Sibu.

“They would want perhaps the highest body namely the state cabinet to make this sort of decision and we have to be very cautious about this,” he said.

In view of this, Wong noted that he was working with SMC and the Land and Survey Department to look for a ‘win-win’ solution.

“The argument from the Malay-Melanau community is quite valid and strong because Sibu has already built Lau King Howe Memorial Museum in remembrance of him.

“I’ve already suggested to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem that this piece of land be alienated and vested with a museum committee as well,” he explained.

Wong reiterated that SUPP should not go on with the signature campaign.

“One important point is if SUPP branches in Sibu are carrying out the campaign, I’m sure the Malay-Melanau community will do the same to counter. Then emotional feelings may soon be generated
by going against each other.

“As a Chinese leader in Sibu, I’ll do my best just like Dr Annuar because as leaders we have to look at the bigger picture,” he said.