Dr Rundi: UPP should also be dissolved

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SERIAN: The United People’s Party (UPP) should follow the example of Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) and dissolve the party, said state Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

He said UPP president and Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh as well as UPP senior vice-president and Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King must ally themselves with BN.

“Give them some cooling period to make the right decision. It is not for their sake but for the people who elected them. As you know, Teras has been dissolved. UPP should be also because they stood not as UPP candidates but BN candidates,” he told reporters after the state-level Agong’s Birthday celebration yesterday.

“Where they go, they must ally with BN. UPP is not BN. Give them some cooling period, I think they can decide.”

Both Wong and Tiong stood as direct BN candidates during the recent state election along with nine other elected representatives, who are now partyless.

On forming a new party to accommodate the nine, Dr Rundi said this is not likely.

“We do not want to have so many parties. We will work it out soon. After election we have to serve the people. Politicking is no longer the business for us now. We have to walk the talk and fulfil the aspirations of the people as they look highly on Team Adenan.

“We will work out the best. We have to consider these nine YBs. We cannot push them or pull them, as they are also elected by the people and they have responsibilities to the people. If they think they can perform better in whichever party of their choice, it is their freedom of choice,” he stressed.

Dr Rundi pointed out that it is vital to ensure that BN’s unity is really solid.

“The candidates have the freedom of association, so we leave it to them which party they choose. If they are adamant and refuse to join other parties, what can we do? We have no choice.

“We cannot allow them to be partyless outside BN, as they won the election on BN’s ticket. We have to study thoroughly before we can make a decision. They have their own rights. They know which is the best platform for them to perform. The question is why are they choosing PBB? Leave it to them to answer,” he said, adding that state BN chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will resolve the issue.

On Friday Dr Rundi had said PBB would not expand beyond its 40 seats in order to maintain the status quo.

“We will not make any decision that may jeopardise BN unity and while we appreciate their confidence in PBB, we would not want to be perceived as opportunistic.

“The question here is, if they refused any other (party) than PBB, and I as secretary-general of the PBB would like to reiterate that our stand remains the same

as before the last 11th state election. We will not expand our party beyond 40 seats, nonetheless we will deliberate further on ways to resolve the matter and to consider every aspects as to be fair to everyone,” he said.

Dr Rundi’s statement seems to be in contradiction with Adenan’s statement on April 13 when the Chief Minister said direct BN candidates could join any party.

“They are at liberty to join any party they want, provided their loyalty lies with BN,” Adenan had said when asked if direct BN candidates could return to UPP after the election.

“They are at liberty to join any party they want but their loyalty must lie with the BN, that’s the important thing.”

The nine partyless elected representatives are Tan Sri William Mawan (Pakan), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Mambong), Ranum Mina (Opar), Dr Johnical Rayong (Engkilili), Datuk Gerawat Gala (Mulu), John Ilus (Bukit Semuja) and Miro Simuh (Serembu).

All nine had applied to join PBB.