Chin: Political parties need money to survive

Datuk Seri Peter Chin
KUCHING: SUPP organising secretary Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui yesterday dismissed talks that “consortiums” had manipulated political parties in the state.
The Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water said all political parties required financial support to pursue their respective struggles and beliefs, and as such that should not be considered as manipulation.
“I would not term it as a manipulation. Of course if we are financially independent, it will do us good. In the meantime, we need to enhance close rapport with major corporations to support our party to get on with life.
“After all, corporations or consortiums give donations to charitable organisations so what is wrong with them supporting political parties?
“Given the pertinence of political parties in any democratic process, financial assistance for political parties is not all bad,” he told reporters after attending a function here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on a recent statement by SUPP president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan who said that the party had to be financially independent and should thus set up an investment fund this year.
The former Deputy Chief Minister added that SUPP wanted to cease depending on consortiums to finance the party’s operations.
Chin, who is also Miri MP, said he was not certain what Dr Chan was referring to but he agreed with the latter’s views.
“After all these years in politics and with SUPP, I agree with the saying that we should be financially independent so that SUPP could go further.
“Whether a party is in the ruling or opposition coalition, it needs financial might to sustain its existence,” added Chin.
Nevertheless, he believed that additional financial assistance wouldn’t hurt, especially for those SUPP branches that had no constituencies.
“I think we should have some reliable fund but as to how to achieve this I leave it to the party’s central leadership … the new leaders in particular,” he said.
To date, SUPP has over 35 branches and more than 100,000 members throughout the state. In past elections, it was allocated 19 state constituencies and seven parliamentary seats.
In the April 16 state polls, it contested in 19 constituencies but lost 13 of them to the DAP and PKR. It currently has five MPs.