Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (file photo)
KUCHING: United People’s party (UPP) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said his decision to quit active politics after the next state election, due by 2021, is to pave the way for younger blood to lead the party.
He added that his decision to retire from politics was also prompted by his son Dato Andrew Wong’s nomination as BN candidate for Sibu in the upcoming 14th General Election (GE14).
“It’s all my wish (to retire and) I think it’s about time for me to gradually phase out. Don’t overstay your welcome,” Wong told reporters at PBB headquarters here today.
He assured that even if he retired, he believed UPP will be in safe hands as there are many capable leaders in the party.
“UPP will be okay,” he said.
When asked who would succeed him as the new party president, Wong refused to comment as he considered it too premature to do so.
On the merger with Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Wong reiterated that the whole idea behind the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties was to gradually merge the two parties into a single political entity.
“UPP will still be around until such time that when it come together with SUPP. That’s our eventual goal in the long run.
“We will work it out properly after the GE14 and we will discuss in detail how the two parties can come together so that it will have greater representation in BN,” he said.
The news of Wong’s decision to retire from politics was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg after the unveiling of BN candidates on Tuesday.