MoU solves SUPP, UPP impasse

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CM confirms UPP to field candidates under SUPP banner in GE14 after signing of memorandum

Abang Johari (centre) joining hands with Dr Sim (fifth left), Wong (fifth right) and others in a display of unity. —Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: State Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg confirmed that United People’s Party (UPP) will field candidates in the coming general election (GE14) under the banner of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).

He said this when pressed by reporters on whether UPP would field direct candidates or through a state BN component party after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU)  between SUPP and UPP at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here earlier yesterday.

He stressed that even though UPP has its own candidates, they would not be contesting as direct BN candidates.

Asked if that BN party would be SUPP, the chief minister said, “A component party. In this case, it’s SUPP.”

However, Abang Johari preferred to keep mum on the candidates of the two parties for the next general election aside from saying that the unity of the two parties includes candidates from both sides.

Pressed further on the division of seats between the two parties he said: “We will tell you later.”

The MoU was signed by SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting and UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and deputy president Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.

Abang Johari when asked about the content of the MoU said SUPP and UPP will be united “in all forms”.

“If it’s not all forms, it’s not united. Candidate is not the criteria. The criteria is that they are united, work together in all forms in order to develop our state and a source to be powerful.”

He added that what mattered was that both the parties had already signed the MoU.

Fielding a question on the election dates and BN candidates Abang Johari said, “I don’t even know the election date. That one they decide it. Even I haven’t decided on PBB candidates.”

In a brief statement issued after the signing, Wong, who is Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce and Second Finance Minister quoted Henry Ford’s saying: “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is a success.”