Wong (fifth left) with his former and current comrades in UPP during a photo-call. From left are Andrew, Pau, Tiong, Dr Jerip, Ranum, Rayong and Lee. — Photo by Churchill Edward
KUCHING: Three former UPP elected representatives yesterday afternoon made a surprise public appearance at a media lunch hosted by UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh at his office in Petra Jaya here.
Partyless assemblymen Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Mambong), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili) and Ranum Mina (Opar) were said to have done so in a show of solidarity and spirit of BN comradeship.
Members of the media attending the lunch were all surprised upon noticing the arrival of the three leaders whom UPP claimed had not resigned from the party because it did not accept their resignation.
The media also failed to get specific responses from the three partyless assemblymen about their current and future status.
Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister and Bawang Assan assemblyman interjected by stating: “We will cross the bridge when we come to it.”
When pressed further Wong said: “We all have to wait for end of June.”
He was referring to State BN chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s directive to nine partyless representatives (including Dr Jerip, Rayong and Ranum) to get the blessing of their respective constituents before considering applying to join state BN backbone party, PBB, within a month’s period.
The three ex-UPP assemblymen together with six others namely Tan Sri William Mawan (Pakan), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), Dato Gerawat Gala (Mulu), Miro Simuh (Serumbu) and John Ilus (Bukit Semuja) had to resign from UPP, Teras and PBB respectively to enable them to contest as direct BN candidates in the May 7 state election.
Political observers said direct BN candidacy was a solution to solve the problem of multiple claims by BN components and friendly parties on seats.
During the last state polls BN contested in all 82 seats. Apart from the nine direct BN candidates, state BN components PBB, SUPP, PRS and SPDP took part in the polls.
Dr Jerip, Rayong and Ranum had said in previous reports that they would have to consult their constituents and get their consent over which party they should be joining. They were given by Adenan a month to conduct the survey.
However, it is understood that the trio are keen to join PBB unless and until UPP becomes a BN component and not simply a BN-friendly party which has no locus standi in any decision-making within the BN coalition.
Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King as well as UPP-associated political secretaries to the chief minister namely Andrew Shilling Banggit, Suzanne Lee and Pau Kiew Chuang were also present at the lunch.