1MALAYSIA SPIRIT: Zahid presents gifts to a lion dance troupe during his visit to Tan’s residence. Also seen are Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe (left) and Tan. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa
SIBU: Proposal to delay TDC until after GE turned down by Dr Chan
Both factions in Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) presidential race had agreed on Dec 5 last year to postpone the Triennial Delegates’ Conference (TDC) until after the general election to prevent their disputes from affecting Barisan Nasional’s chances in the polls.
This was disclosed by Sibu branch chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh at a Chinese New Year gathering here last Thursday.
Wong explained to over 2,000 members at the gathering that he and his team in early December last year had tried their best to save the party from spiralling into chaos by initiating a meeting with his rival for the president’s post Datuk Seri Peter Chin in the presence of outgoing president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan that day.
“We did not wish to see the party disputes affect the general election. We thus proposed to postpone the TDC to convene after the general election to allow the disputes to settle.”
“The proposal was accepted by the other party and we also agreed to meet the ROS to assist in this matter.”
Wong added his faction also proposed to meet the deputy home minister on Dec 6 and both Chin’s team and Dr Chan agreed to be present during the meeting.
“Dr Chan also proposed that both Chin and I should not contest in the presidential race. To save the party, I agreed on the condition that all the other six state and parliament Bumiputera representatives should be included in the new leadership line-up as they were elected by the people,” said Wong.
“I also set the condition that since even as a senior minister I am not allowed to contest, the other party comrades who had lost in the elections should also not contest. They included Datuk Sim Kheng Hui, Datuk David Teng, Datuk Alfred Yap and Datuk Lily Yong.”
Wong said that Dr Chan agreed and said this had always been in his thoughts but Chin and team did not respond directly.
However, Wong and his team were shocked when the party president turned down all the proposals which he had agreed during the meeting at about 8pm that day.
Despite that setback, Wong and his team met the Home Ministry and ROS on Dec 6.
Wong explained that after meeting the Home Ministry and ROS and after deliberations with his supporters, they decided not to take part in the party’s TDC.
“It would be wrong for my team to participate and give legitimacy to an election which cannot be free or fair due to the claims of irregularities in the party branch elections.
“We respect the rights of every party member, and we wait patiently for the outcome of ROS investigation into the alleged irregularities and unfairness in the recent party’s branch elections.”
Earlier in his speech Wong admitted that the disputes in the party over the past one year had put a damper on the spirit of party members but he believed that ember of the party’s spirit could still be re-ignited.
“In 2011, we first suffered a disastrous setback in the state election. It was followed by some party members disallowing the Chinese elected representatives from accepting any ministerial posts in the state cabinet.
“Some members even demanded for a central committee meeting failing which they threatened to sue the party president in court.”
Wong added that the party’s troubles were compounded by irregularities in branch elections resulting in investigations by Registrar of Societies (ROS) which caused even more members to lose confidence in the party.
Wong advised members not to lose hope as the investigations by ROS should be released soon adding that the party would continue to grow strong with the support of its members.
“Dragons are said to be strong, smart and hardworking, so these qualities should be adopted in our fight for the rights of party members and their commitment to get the party to soar new heights once again.”
Also at the function were Bengoh assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil, Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnicol Rayong, SUPP Sibu branch vice-chairman Vincent Goh, function organising chairman Oliver Kuo and Wong’s wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong.