Soon Koh: UPP ready to work with SUPP

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(Front, from left) Abang Johari and Juma’ani try their hands at writing Chinese calligraphy, guided by Wong. Also seen is Zhang, on Wong’s left.

SIBU: United People’s Party (UPP) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has reiterated the party’s readiness to work together with Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).

According to the Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce, UPP leaders and members have responded positively to repeated calls by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for the two parties to establish a common ground to work together.

Wong said with the general election approaching, it is indeed time for UPP and SUPP to work in unison towards a ‘more united Sarawak’.

“I am sure that the Chinese community leaders and members across Sarawak – and in Sibu, in particular – are looking forward anxiously to the two parties working closer together towards greater unity.

“A more united Chinese community would also enable them to work towards the greater unity with other racial or community groups in the country,” he said at a Chinese New Year gathering hosted by United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu on Monday, which Abang Johari, his wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang and Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas attended.

Wong continued on by stating that in the previous parliamentary election, the predominantly-Chinese constituencies – Kuching, Pending, Sibu, Lanang, Sarikei and Miri – had all gone to the opposition, namely Democratic Action Party (DAP).

In this regard, he said predominantly-Chinese political parties, namely UPP and SUPP, would want to have some shares of the parliamentary seats.

“If we want to set ourselves the goal of recapturing some – if not all – of the seats, both parties must work together, assessing each other’s strength to identify the correct and winnable candidates to represent the Chinese community.

“Only then can we ensure greater Chinese unity and greater Barisan Nasional (BN) representation at federal level.

“What is needed most critically is unity – the combined forces of both UPP and SUPP working together to ensure victory. Going separately or going against each other will do nobody any good,” he said.

Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, community leader Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau and China’s deputy Consul-General in Kuching Zhang Yang were also present.