Dr Jerip (centre) with (from second left) Lu, Liu and others leading branch members to uplift their spirits.
KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) pioneer committee member Datuk Dr Jerip Susil has called on members to uphold volunteerism and be selfless in delivering services to make the new party relevant to Sarawakians.
He thus told members to bring in the right people to begin the long journey with the party.
“The right people are those who are able to hold us together, those who are prepared to serve and struggle with us. They must have volunteering spirit and not counting the cost.
“One of the failures to stay relevant is that we are not able to hear the people anymore. Therefore, we must always be prepared to listen to our people, see their problems and speak up for them,” he said at the UPP Batu Kawa branch’s inaugural annual general meeting at the party’s headquarters here yesterday.
Dr Jerip, who is assistant minister for public health and Bengoh assemblyman, pledged to listen to voices from his constituency in order to stay relevant.
Of utmost importance, he said, an individual must have a caring heart in order to serve the community.
He also suggested that the party’s leaders and members look into means to help Chinese, Mission and rural schools in the state.
“I am not a Chinese, but it is relevant for me to speak up for Chinese schools. Many Bumiputera children go to Chinese schools and in my constituency, 90 per cent of those going to Chinese schools are not Chinese.
“This will help enhance national integration. I am also proud to see that a Bidayuh can speak not just Bidayuh, but also Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin. Besides Chinese schools, we shall also help Mission schools and some rural schools.”
He believed such efforts would help the party move on together with the state Barisan Nasional.
Dr Jerip also extended apologies on behalf of UPP pioneer committee chairman and Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who could not open the meeting as he was with three branches – Piasau, Pujut and Senadin in Miri.
Among those present were Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, who is also UPP southern zone coordinating adviser, and UPP Batu Kawa branch newly-minted chairman Pemanca Liu Thian Leong.