KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has given his blessings for United People’s Party (UPP) to continue as a BN-friendly party.
UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said he personally went to seek Adenan’s advice yesterday following state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi’s statement on Saturday (June 4) that UPP should follow the footsteps of another BN-friendly party – Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) – by dissolving the party.
“I met the chief minister this morning (yesterday) and sought his advice as to how to move ahead as far as UPP is concerned since our party is now left with just two elected representatives, namely myself and (Dudong assemblyman) Datuk Tiong Thai King, following the decision by our three Bumiputera elected representatives, Datuk
Dr Jerip Susil, Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa and Ranum Mina, to join PBB.
“He (Adenan) said we can carry on and continue to function as a BN-friendly party and that we have to be pro-BN and working for BN,” said Bawang Assan assemblyman Wong.
Speaking to reporters at his office in Baitulmakmur here, Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, said UPP was not a simple organisation.
“We have more than 30,000 members and 26 branches across the state. Each branch has its own branch office and staff. In addition, we also have quite a few community service centres.
“UPP is also not just for elected representatives, but also for all members, supporters and the community at large. So, we must continue operating as a party.”
Wong added that UPP would continue to use its education fund to help the people.
“We have more than RM30 million in our education fund. This brings great benefit to those who need help, particularly children who are either in primary or secondary schools or even at tertiary levels.”
In view of the latest development, he called on all UPP members to remain calm and be assured that the party would continue to function within the BN family.
“We will continue to serve the people as ever before and will continue to grow, recruit more members, and make the party stronger to assist BN.”
Meanwhile, on the trio’s application to PBB, Wong said there was a high possibility the party would accept their applications.
He reckoned if the trio insisted on being part of the state’s cornerstone party, it was most likely PBB would entertain their applications.
“They have applied to join PBB, and it looks like there is a big possibility they (PBB) will accept their application because Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has stated that if they insisted on joining PBB, the party will have no choice but to entertain their applications favourably.
“This means that most probably Datuk Dr Jerip, Dr Johnical and Ranum will be admitted into PBB.”
Asked if he had met the trio, Wong revealed he had done so, and he bore no grudge against them for their decision to leave UPP for PBB.
“Of course, we would like them to come back to UPP, but I can also understand that perhaps they, as Bumiputera elected representatives, feel safer in a big family like PBB.
“Nevertheless, we are still friends. We will carry on as a united party to serve the people within the BN family.”