SUPP senior members urge voters to focus on real issues
Chung (centre) leads the senior members (from left) Bong, Pui, Chong, Tan, Vong and Chang in addressing the press conference.
KUCHING: Senior members of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) have urged voters not to be swayed by political issues in the country but look further ahead and stay focused on the real needs necessary for Sarawak to transform.
Chung Kok Chiong, who has been with the party since it was established in 1959, emphasised that Sarawakians want leaders who work hard and can get things done instead of talking nonsense.
“We need leaders who are seriously and genuinely concerned about the issues and problems faced by the people. Protesting and opposing will not help with anything at all,” he told a press conference at the SUPP headquarters here today.
The press conference was called to urge voters to support Barisan Nasional (BN)-SUPP candidates for Stampin Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Bandar Kuching Kho Teck Wan in this coming 14th general election (GE14) on May 9.
He was joined by other senior members Bong Chit Kui, Pui Joon Ting, Magdelene Chong, Tan Hua Min, Vong Shaw Thin and Chang Chiaw Yam.
“In the past, the party might not have performed and done enough in all aspects, leading members to be dissatisfied and some left the party. But today, the party has a new leadership (under president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian) who is steering the party into a new era,” he pointed out.
Having been with the party for some five decades, Chung said he was well aware of the political development in Sarawak and Malaysia.
“What’s important for Sarawak is to get back the state’s rights and the people’s strong support is necessary and crucial to help our leaders achieve this,” he added.
Emphasising the importance of this election for the people, he reminded that their votes will determine their future as well as that of the younger and future generations while urging them to give their fullest support and vote for BN-SUPP candidates.
Tan also reiterated that SUPP is worth the trust, faith and belief because it is the first local political party in Sarawak with a history spanning nearly six decades.
“The party has overcome countless challenges and obstacles but still managed to remain intact and relevant today despite facing external and internal pressures. Looking back at history, we realise that disunity will only bring chaos and if we can’t stabilise, development cannot continue,” he elaborated.
“There is disunity in the Peninsula side now so we should strengthen our unity to give power to our leaders to demand for our rights. Politics is about power to influence,” he added.
He urged voters to look at and assess problems and issues played up during this time rationally so as not to be steered away from their real goal.
Chong, who spoke for the women, said Sarawak needs to make a breakthrough in terms of increasing women’s representation not only in decision-making level but also in political leadership.
“This is so that we can rely on them to bring women’s issues, many of which have been neglected, to the political agenda. We are happy to see that both SUPP and Dayak-based party (PRS) are pushing for more women into the parliament,” she said.
“Women deserve to be given the opportunity to perform and play greater roles in the society,” she added.
Chang suggested that old comrades, who have contributed much to the development of the party, come out to give advice and illustrate their persistence of faith for the party.
“We want people to make a clear choice and head in one direction and that’s to make Sarawak stronger. So we want to call on all voters to vote for Dr Sim and Kho,” he added.
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