SUPP, UPP told to forget past differences, join forces for the sake of Sarawak
Soon Koh (second left) greets Abang Johari upon arrival at the Chinese New Year dinner while Dr Sim (left) and chairman cum deputy president of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Wong Tiong Hook (second right) look on.
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and United People’s Party (UPP) to bury the hatchet for the sake of Sarawak.
Speaking during the Chinese New Year 2018 and 30th anniversary dinner of the Federation of Chinese Associations for Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions here last night, he said it was paramount that the two parties forget past differences and join forces to fight for the people.
“In PBB then, I was the deputy president and, by right of the convention, I was supposed to be the president after Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud stepped down. But I was told to give it to the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, which I willingly did,” he told those in attendance.
He emphasised that he made the decision to step aside because the people and the state were far more important than him being party president.
“So forget about the differences. This is the same with the Chinese (community) because (when) divided, it will be difficult.
UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who is Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce; SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is Minister of Local Government and Housing; and federation president Dato Richard Wee were among those present.
Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak must be united in order to regain its lost rights from Putrajaya, asserting that only Sarawakians can determine the destiny of the state.
He said only Sarawak-based parties like PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP, along with UPP if the party chooses to come back, could fight for Sarawakians.
“Peninsula-based parties like PKR, DAP and even Umno cannot fight for Sarawakians.
“If they (UPP) come in (to BN), hopefully we will be much stronger. Not only the Chinese, but Sarawak will also be stronger. This is because we have to protect ourselves,” he said to the applause of both Wong and Dr Sim.
“Wong and Dr Sim are clapping. So there must be a way. It is the same with PBB where in the 1987 election, I had to fight my own cousin in Satok (seat). Even making my grandmother was ‘susah’ (unhappy) as she didn’t know who to vote for,” he said.
Abang Johari said PBB had helped and worked hard with both SUPP and UPP in the last state election, where the two parties successfully won seven and five seats respectively.
“Individually, SUPP has seven seats while UPP has five. When combined, you will have 12 seats. We have to be practical in looking at this. We need to work together so we can regain our autonomy.”
With stronger political power, the chief minister said Sarawak can have a stronger voice to negotiate with Putrajaya over the return of its lost rights.