Wong (third left at front table) with the members of UPP Bawang Assan Bumiputra Unit exclaiming ‘Hidup UPP’.
SIBU: All members of United People’s Party (UPP) have been told to remain as one force as the party activates its election machinery to face the 14th general election (GE14).
Party president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh also reminded them to cooperate with one another and work hard.
“This is the time for us to work hard to win seats for the Barisan Nasional (BN). What is important is to win all the votes because every vote is important,” he said at a meeting with UPP Bawang Assan Bumiputra members on Thursday night at 1Malaysia Cultural Village.
The meeting was also attended by UPP Bawang Assan Bumiputra Unit chairman Andrew Shilling, Temenggong Stanley Geramong, Pemanca James Semilan and the party’s potential candidates Dato Andrew Wong and Andrew Ting.
Wong, who is the Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce and Second Finance Minister, also said party members must listen to and make efforts to resolve the problems raised by the people.
“If the people are not happy and are facing lots of problems, solve those issues one by one. We have Rancangan Sibu 1 (RS1) which is a plan for the people.
“This plan will not only bring development for Sibu town, but also to the rural folk,” he said.
Wong, who is Bawang Assan assemblyman, urged Bumiputra members to focus on Bawang Assan constituency so as to win the Sibu parliamentary seat.
During the 13th general election, BN obtained 4,131-votes majority from Bawang Assan constituency.
“I hope we can win with higher majority – up to 5,000 votes in Bawang Assan constituency. This majority is important for us in facing the possibility of fewer votes in Pelawan constituency.
“Of course, I really hope that BN will not lose in Pelawan. Who knows, we may win in Pelawan,” he said, adding that 97 per cent of the voters in Pelawan are Chinese.
Wong also reminded the people of the importance of BN winning both Sibu and Lanang.
“I urge all UPP members to have high spirit, be positive and be confident with your ability to win this general election especially for Sibu and Lanang parliamentary seats,” he stressed.