KUCHING: SUPP Youth chief Sih Hua Tong has confirmed that he will not seek re-election during the party’s triennial delegates’ conference (TDC) end of this year.
The political secretary to the chief minister also pledged not to nominate a successor.
Speaking to the press after attending a function here Sunday, he said he would keep his promise made when succeeding the post from Alan Sim in December 2008.
During the last TDC, Sih announced that he would not lead the youth wing for more than two terms and the party’s Youth leader should not be older than 45.
“We do not want to see an overaged Youth chief and more importantly, we have placed a term limit on the youth chief post.
“I have been the Youth chief for three years and I’m above 45, hence I definitely won’t break my promise,” he said. Whether he would seek a higher post in the party central leadership during the coming TDC, Sih said: “That is not up to me. Let’s leave it to our delegates and members.”
He expressed no worry about a potential successor, saying that SUPP had loads of capable young members to take over the job.
“There are many talented individuals in SUPP youth wing, we are not out of candidates.” When pressed whether he had any preferred candidate, Sih insisted that democracy should take its course – that youth delegates should make the call.
“Since I have decided not to seek re-election, the decision should be left to youth delegates of the party.
This is the spirit enshrined in the party’s constitution.
“Leaders should be nominated by members rather than through certain quarters’ nominations,” he said, adding that the party should promote democratic culture.
SUPP’s TDC scheduled for December this year will also see elections of party posts including youth and women wings.
Will a multi-cornered fight be expected following Sih’s announcement that he would pass over his duty to another youth comrade, who should not be over 45?