The United People’s Party views SPDP chief’s recent merger proposal as a conditional offer
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing
KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) views the “no condition” offer for the party to merge with Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) as a condition.
In a statement yesterday, UPP said the party appreciated SPDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s gesture in opening his party’s doors to UPP.
“However, he (Tiong) said those who wish to join SPDP must do so without condition. At first glance, the offer looks fair but, in truth and in fact, joining without condition is itself a condition.
“What it means is that UPP members who wish to join SPDP must join as ordinary members, and the allocation of positions within SPDP shall, thereafter, be subject to the SPDP supreme council’s discretion. That is to be expected in the case of any individual who applies to join any political party.”
The statement added that if Tiong was serious about an “open arms offer” to joining forces with UPP, he should not have imposed the condition of “no condition”.
“Much like a marriage proposal, which imposes a condition to the other party to submit unconditionally and not vice versa, it cannot be expected to conclude nor be treated seriously; at best, mere political rhetoric!”
The statement said the situation would be different if the two political parties negotiated a merger.
“It is unrealistic to expect one political party to give up everything and subject itself and all its members to the whims and fancies of another party.
“A party like UPP must look after the interests of its members, its leaders and its ADUNs (assemblymen) in negotiating any merger. Where two political parties come together, they can only do so on terms and conditions that are mutually agreeable. It is impossible to come together without any condition at all.
“One party cannot dictate to the other that you have to come without any condition, for that would be neither realistic nor acceptable to the incoming group,” added the statement.
On Wednesday, The Borneo Post reported that SPDP was opening its doors to BN-friendly parties UPP and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) as long as there are no conditions attached to their applications.
Tiong said such mergers would strengthen and consolidate the state BN.
“If they are sincere, joining us will consolidate SPDP as well as the BN as a whole, especially in facing the 14th general election, which could be held very soon,” he said.
On the chances of UPP merging with SPDP, Tiong said it was a “non-issue” if they were willing to join without setting any condition.
“Our party, actually, has an open policy to accept those who subscribe to BN principles. So we are ever-ready to accept UPP leaders and their supporters into SPDP without any condition,” he said.
However, Tiong added any application to join SPDP would have to be discussed by its supreme council.
SPDP’s move to open its doors to UPP comes on the heels of its decision to welcome back its former president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and Teras members.
If these mergers materialise, SPDP would have nine state assemblymen and four Members of Parliament (MPs).
SPDP’s current assemblymen are Datuk Henry Harry Jinep (Tasik Biru), Datu Penguang Manggil (Marudi) and Rolland Duat Jubin (Meluan), while its MPs are Tiong (Bintulu), Anthony Nogeh Gumbek (Mas Gading) and Anyi Ngau (Baram).
Besides being Pakan assemblyman, Mawan is also Saratok MP while UPPs assemblymen are Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan), Datuk Tiong Thai King (Dudong), Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Datuk Ranum Mina (Opar) and Dr Johnical Rayong (Engkilili).