SUPP issues show-cause letters to three branch leaders

June 26, 2010

KUCHING, June 26 — The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) will issue show-cause letters to three Bengoh branch leaders for tarnishing the party’s image by openly criticising the party leadership in the media.

They are Bengoh branch secretary Liu Thian Leong, Youth chief Lee Chee Fui and Youth secretary Chong Jit Leong.

Party president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the trio would be given 14 days from the date of the issuance of the show-cause letters next Monday to explain to the disciplinary committee headed by party secretary-general Senator Datuk Sim Kheng Hui.

“As the state election draws nearer, we feel it is important that the party must get together and be one united party... the central working committee (CWC) has decided to take stern action against those who tarnish the party’s image and go against party interests.

“We cannot be lenient anymore. We have to show our teeth now,” he told reporters after chairing the CWC meeting at the party headquarters here today.

“Today, we make no bones about it. We are fed-up with those who express dissatisfaction with the party to the press. We will send show-cause letters to those who have been very vocal in the press,” he said.

The Bengoh branch, through Lee, issued a statement early this week criticising party leaders for hosting a “political show” by setting up counters for the people to appeal against overpaid land premiums.

It also questioned the party leaders for neglecting the branch, which included not naming any Bengoh SUPP representative as the Padawan municipal council chairman.

Liu and Lee were said to have criticised the party in all Chinese-language dailies in Sarawak over the issues.

Dr Chan said there were always opportunities for party members to express their unhappiness within the party over certain issues and policies, through proper channels.

To face the upcoming state election, he said the party was setting up 19 state election preparatory committees to collect feedback from the ground to ensure a greater chance of victory for the party.

He also disclosed that some senior party leaders had said they would not stand for the coming state election which must be held by July next year. — Bernama