SARIKEI: SUPP treasurer Datuk David Teng Lung Chi has strong support in his bastion here, but he needed similar support from other branches before he could ponder gunning for the party’s top post this coming December.
After receiving unanimous endorsements from representatives of Iban-based branches to remain as SUPP Sarikei chairman, Teng said he now needed to assess his overall support base in other parts of the state before making his next move.
“Support from Sarikei alone is not enough. If there is encouraging response from other branches, I may consider going for it (presidency),” he said after an informal get-together with representatives from the party’s Iban-based branches here yesterday.
Over 100 people were present at the gathering, including Penghulu Kasa Tuba and Penghulu Michael Meling.
SUPP would be holding its triennial delegates conference (TDC) in December, and party president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, who lost Piasau in the April 16 state polls, would be stepping down.
Teng, who lost Repok in the state election, said his defeat should not be a reason for him not to vie for the presidency.
He pointed out that there had been numerous occasions within the party where members who lost in state and parliamentary elections cast the defeat aside and contested for party posts.
For instance, he said, the late Datuk Amar Stephen Yong contested for the secretary-general post although he lost in a general election; Datuk Patinggi Dr Wong Soon Kai lost in a general election but won the party’s presidency election; and Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh had also experienced defeat in a state election before.
Teng, however, said he was saddened by the fact that “fierce attacks” had been launched against him by certain quarters although he had yet to make up his mind to vie for the presidency.