SUPP survival relies strongly on loyalty of members, says Sibu BN
SIBU: The survival of Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP), which has been around for the past 58 years, rests primarily on the loyalty of its members.
For Sibu Barisan Nasional ( BN) committee chairman Robert Lau Hui Yew, this attribute is the most crucial.
“Without you, there would be no SUPP. There were some former leaders who left us upon seeing that their own interest was stronger than that of the party.
“We must learn from Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Wong Soon Kai (former deputy chief minister and ex- SUPP president) who stayed loyal to the party till his last breath,” he spoke at the flagraising ceremony in SUPP Sibu headquarters yesterday to mark the party’s 58th anniversary.
Lau, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan chairman, said the last time he and his father went to see Soon Kai, he (Soon Kai) was still reminding him to work hard and look after the party.
“He reminded us the type of leaders that we need – the one who remains loyal and will never betray the party.
“Secondly, the party in general – the leaders, in particular – must gain the trust from its members and the public. This can only be achieved through actions.
“The SUPP, under the new party president, has always been advocating the principle of ‘doing more and talking less’. We cannot hope to last for 58 years had we continued to just talk and not deliver.
“If a promise is made, it must be kept – there is no shortcut when it comes to earning trust; it cannot be bought with money too.
“It is like any human relationship, like in marriage, if you will – money and fast cars can win a bride, but not a wife.”
However, Lau said party members would only remain loyal if the objectives had been right and the leaders were able to implement them.
“SUPP has not changed its purpose, which is to fight for Sarawak.
“We want a stronger Sarawak. We want the Malaysia Agreement to be honoured. That’s why we want to have more elected representatives in Parliament and DUN (State Legislative Assembly) so that we could speak up and stand up for Sarawak.
“We are not a party that can be sold off to the big corporations or open to their biddings. We fight for principles, not for some vested interest or self-benefit.
“A stronger Sarawak will make a greater Malaysia as a whole. We are part of Malaysia. SUPP wants to help shape and direct Malaysia into the path of prosperity. We want a Malaysia that is moderate and secular, a stable and peaceful country,” he stressed.
Lau also called on all SUPP members to be united in fighting for a better Sibu, a stronger Sarawak and a greater Malaysia.
The ceremony was witnessed by SUPP branch chairmen Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck ( Dudong), Chieng Buong Toon (Bukit Assek) and Benson Chua ( Nangka), as well as SUPP potential candidates for the Lanang parliamentary seat in GE14 – namely Kelvin Kong, Councillor Joseph Chieng and Wong Ching Yong.