KUCHING: Opar assemblyman Ranum Mina and Engkilili assemblyman Johnical Rayong Ngipa’s decision to return to the United People’s Party (UPP) has been called an “unwise move” by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing.
He pointed out that prior to the May 7 state election, all 11 partyless candidates were asked to quit their respective parties in order to stand as direct Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates.
“Upon winning (the election), they must apply to join any BN party of their choice. These were two of the three understandings agreed by the coalition,” the Deputy Chief Minister told thesundaypost yesterday without disclosing the third agreement.
Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil is also expected to return to UPP.
“Now the three YBs want to come back to UPP after winning. Such a move is against the understanding of which they had agreed in order to contest,” stressed Masing. He said the move compromised the principles of the trio and also misled those who had voted for them.
Meanwhile, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian also reiterated his stand against UPP.
“I said it so many times already. Go and look back at what I have said,” Dr Sim told reporters briefly yesterday.
He declined to answer further questions on the issue.