Matthew Chen appointed as SUPP Sibu Jaya pro tem chairman
SIBU: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) organising secretary Datuk Matthew Chen was appointed by the party’s central leadership as SUPP Sibu Jaya branch’s pro tem committee chairman.
The announcement was made by SUPP secretarygeneral Datuk Sebastian Ting at the SUPP Sibu Jaya’s branch establishment meeting here yesterday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chen said after calling for a few meetings with SUPP Dudong regarding the setting up of the new branch, they came up with 45 pro tem committee members to serve the Sibu Jaya area.
He also said the pro tem committee would hold its first meeting this March 16.
“The work now, apart from starting to serve the people of Sibu Jaya, is to submit the application to set up the branch to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) as soon as possible to get final approval.
“Usually, it takes within three months. This is a totally new branch, not like the other five branches in Sibu, which were also chaired and formed by me where we had existing members and just transferred them and we could go ahead quite easily.
“But this branch, we have to start from the beginning — to set up a new branch, we need at least 250 members as required by the party constitution,” he said.
According to Chen, currently the branch has 605 potential members and the committee would submit their names.
“Everything would be smooth sailing once it is approved.
“I think it can be approved, from my experience before like in Ba Kelalan, Belaga and some other branches. There is a procedure we need to follow.”
Chen pointed out that the Sibu Jaya branch was set up out of necessity, as SUPP Dudong might have some limitations in serving the area due to its size.
“I do not know whether Sibu Jaya will be another constituency or not, but I know that the Dudong branch may have some limitations to serve the Sibu Jaya area.”
He added after discussion with the Dudong branch, the SUPP Sibu Jaya would cover about 20,000 voters, also covering those in almost 100 longhouses.
Apart from Chen, the pro tem line-up in SUPP Sibu Jaya also comprises Kong Sing Ping as the deputy chairman; William Anut, Tang Tung Khing, Collin Tinting Gindien and Joseph Tang as vice-chairmen; Teo Wee Leng as secretary; Baling Sumbang as Youth chief; Lee Hie Sign as the Women chief; Kong Chek King as the organising secretary; Tiong Yong Liung as publicity and information secretary; Kamarau Agat as recreations officer; Karen Ting as the welfare officer; and Bonythis Geraman Aweng as training officer.