SUPP and UPP agree to merge in the future

KUCHING: Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) and splinter group United People’s Party (UPP) have reached an agreement to work towards reconciliation.

Both parties signed an MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg after a Sarawak Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting.

The signatories were SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and UPP president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.

Abang Johari said the MoU was both parties’ response to the desire of the Chinese community for them to unite in the Barisan spirit.

He said Dr Sim and Wong had “sacrificed their personal interests” for the sake of the Chinese and other communities in the state.

“This is very important for us to move forward together in one rhythm.

“Together with the other communities, SUPP and UPP will put in extra effort for us to move Sarawak ahead,” said Abang Johari.

“I hope with the framework of this understanding, there will be less politicking and more efforts to develop the state.”

Under the MoU, SUPP and UPP will explore and take steps towards uniting into a single larger political entity for stronger representation in the state Barisan.

Both parties will set up a consultative committee comprising their respective presidents and secretaries-general to work out a path towards reconciliation and discuss matters with mutual consent, respect and confidence.

They also agreed to work together to ensure victory for Sarawak Barisan candidates in the election.

UPP was formed in 2014 after four assemblymen, including Wong, and their supporters quit SUPP following a leadership dispute.

Its application to join Barisan was blocked by SUPP but the party remained Barisan-friendly.

In the May 2016 state election, candidates from UPP were fielded as direct Barisan candidates to resolve the tussle for seats with SUPP.

Last week, Abang Johari said there would be no direct candidates in the coming election, dashing UPP’s hopes of putting up candidates in seats such as Sibu and Lanang, which are also claimed by SUPP.

The MoU paves the way for UPP candidates to contest under the SUPP ticket provided the parties agree to their candidacy.

“We have not decided on the candidates yet. But the Chief Minister has said they must come under SUPP,” Dr Sim told reporters.

He said both parties would work hard towards reconciliation “as fast as we can”.

“I’m very happy that UPP and SUPP have responded to the call from the Chinese community to see us come together so that we will eventually work together towards UPP coming back in SUPP,” he said.