Masing and Dr Sim (front, fourth and fifth left, respectively) join members of the welcoming committee in a group photo.
KAPIT: The Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the president of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), remains true to his own yearly tradition of visiting every branch of the party across Sarawak, particularly the grassroots.
According to him, this activity is to ensure that all SUPP members would uphold the party’s fight and keep abreast with the present political scenario.
“I visit the grassroots in order to gain feedback from them. I also hold discussions with the local branch members,” he said when met here recently, where he paid surprise visits to several local SUPP leaders and members.
The minister was accompanied by his private secretary Hong Chiew Kit and SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan.
Dr Sim arrived just before Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who was also here for a working visit.
Upon alighting from the helicopter at the old airport site here, Dr Sim and his entourage were greeted by a welcoming committee headed by SUPP Kapit chairman Ling Thian Ing, and included the chiefs of Kapit SUPP Youth and Women – Tommy Wong and Councillor Jenny Yii, respectively.
Deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, Kapit police chief DSP Freddy Bian, police special branch officers DSP Chua Su Hua and Insp Mackey Hirano, councillors Bakat Gira and Jantai Maseng,as well as local community leaders Pemanca Yong Thu Fook, Penghulu Sia Shui Poh, Penghulu Wong Kie Ing, Penghulu Sallang Batang, Penghulu Steward Sawing, Kapitan Kong Cheak He and Kapitan Yap Hu Li, were also present at the welcoming ceremony.
Dr Sim later went to Ling’s residence at Taman Hijau along Jalan Padang Sukan here for what the minister jokingly called ‘a belated Chinese New Year visit’.
Dr Sim also paid visit to a veteran SUPP member Chu Tung King and also the Ung Tong Bakery here.