All lies, my loyalty lies with UPP — Rayong

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Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa

ENGKILILI: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa yesterday described rumours of him returning to SUPP as lies spun by irresponsible quarters.

He said he was baffled that some people would resort to spreading such a rumour based on a photograph of him holding hands with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, in the company of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi and Simanggang assemblyman Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.

The picture, which found its way to the social media, was taken in Sri Aman during Pesta Benak on Saturday.

Rayong told reporters covering the BN pre-Council meeting at PBB Headquarters here that he had no intention of returning to SUPP as he was happy with United People’s Party (UPP).

“There is no such thing as me rejoining SUPP.

“I’m with UPP. I’m the vice president and Youth chief of UPP, and I’m Barisan Nasional (BN). That I can confirm. I will always be in UPP and always with BN,” he said.

Rayong admitted he did meet Adenan and other top BN leaders in Sri Aman on Saturday, and Harden (who is from SUPP) happened to be there, too.

“All I can say is that the chief minister advised us both to work together as we are both in the BN family,” said Rayong.

He added that Adenan also advised him and Harden to focus on their respective constituencies as what was important was for the BN to win both seats (Simanggang and Engkilili) in the 11th state election, which must be called by June next year.

“We (UPP) are prepared for the next state election. I’m always with UPP.

“Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (UPP president) is my boss. I’m always a BN man, and Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) is my boss. I have to respect his (CM) advice.”

He claimed Adenan had also advised UPP and SUPP to work together for the sake of BN unity.

“We don’t fight. We are all friends. We concentrate on BN and make sure BN wins. We should work together as a team for BN. That is more than a ceasefire … no more war cause we are brothers in BN.

“(We are) with PBB, SPDP and PRS.”