KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) yesterday described the complaint by SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian about the presence of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the recent launching of UPP Education Fund as misconceived.
Dr Sim, among other things, said the head of state’s presence at the launch “seems not to follow past conventions and protocols”.
UPP, in a press statement, said the fund was to assist under-privileged Sarawakian students pursue further studies and Taib had been at the forefront of promoting education in the state by facilitating the establishment of educational institutions like Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Sarawak, Laila Taib College and University College of Technology Sarawak.
“Education has always been close to the heart of the TYT and it is fitting that His Excellency should be the guest-of-honour at the launching of an education fund that received generous contributions from corporations and philanthropists from all over Sarawak,” said UPP.
“It is disrespectful of Dr Sim to question the TYT’s presence as guest-of-honour at the function. It is also myopic of Sim to focus his ire on the fact that it is a UPP event. Dr Sim should think about how SUPP can emulate UPP in helping the underprivileged by using its own resources to get assistance from those who are better off.
“Actions will always speak louder than words. UPP raised well over RM30 million for its Education Fund and that speaks for itself and will be of massive assistance to needy Sarawak students.”
The launch of the UPP multi-million education fund here on Aug 21 was witnessed by UPP president cum Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, UPP deputy president Assistant Minister of Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, its senior vice president Ranum Mina, its Youth Chief Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) deputy president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, who is Assistant Minister for Community services.
So far, UPP has raised more than RM30 million through 13 corporate donors, including KTS Group chief executive officer cum managing director Dato Henry Lau.
The ultimate aim is to collect RM50 million.
In his speech, Taib said, “This goes to show that the focus of the Chinese is very much attached to education. Any serious education development in the state, in particular the participation among the Chinese, has never been in doubt.”
He said the history of the Chinese in nurturing education, especially through Chinese schools, had been widely acknowledged.
Taib also pointed out that he looked up to Soon Koh, who had the experience to advise him when he was chief minister to develop education institutions so that it would have that game-changing effect towards benefitting not only the Chinese but also all races.
Recently, Dr Sim said SUPP was surprised by the presence of Taib at UPP’s first anniversary event.
“It must be highlighted that the post of Head of State (TYT) is a non-political post and, thereby, the organisers of the event should have been more mindful of inviting His Excellency,” said Dr Sim in a press statement.
He added that if the Head of State had been specifically invited for the launching of the educational fund, SUPP full-heartedly applaud and support this type of altruistic endeavour.
“However, the presence of the TYT at such an obviously political event seems not to follow past conventions and protocols. It is a generally accepted practice that the Head of State should be seen to be above politics and, especially, above party politics.
“We appreciate the pledge made by His Excellency during a dinner organised by Miri Malay Charitable Trust Board dinner in 2014, where he stated that although he has ‘retired from active politics he has not retired from his role to help and assist the people in their welfare and non-political affairs.’
“We hope in the future, organisers of events bear it in mind that the role and institution of Head of State should be given the due respect in accordance with good practises and conventions.”
Dr Sim said his party fully supported all welfare and charitable efforts by any organisation that improves and uplifts the lives of Sarawakians.