NAJIB STARTS TO CALL THE SHOTS IN SARAWAK, WHILE ABANG JO SIDELINED: ‘DON’T ANYONE TRY TO UNDERMINE SIM’S POSITION IN SUPP, I CAN FEEL THE NEW SENSE OF CONFIDENCE’ – NAJIB

KUCHING – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has instructed all pro-Barisan Nasional parties in Sarawak to end their disputes to ensure a stronger, united front leading to the general election.

The national Barisan chairman has tasked Sarawak chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also state Barisan chairman, with resolving issues between SUPP and its off shoot Barisan-friendly UPP.

This is to ensure there would not be any dispute to the claiming of seats for GE14.

“All issues must be resolved before the 14th general election. We (Barisan) must go to war as a solid front. One BN, one SUPP,” Najib said when closing SUPP 24th Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) here Saturday.

 Najib expressed content and admiration that SUPP has worked hard to rebuild its strength, support and confidence of the public after suffering a “near death” in the 2013 general election, where the party won only one out of seven contested seats.

He lauded SUPP’s achievement in the 2016 state election, where the party won seven out of 13 contested seats and successfully wrestled four constituencies from DAP in the process.

“When a person suffers near death, they become stronger and wiser. That sense has prevailed in SUPP, which experiences strong unity among its members today.

“I can feel the energy, excitement and new sense of confidence that SUPP has,” Najib said.

He said he hoped nobody would undermine party president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian to ensure a strong SUPP.

Dr Sim said the main resolution adopted by the party in its just concluded TDC is to reject the fielding of direct Barisan candidates  in the next general election.

Dr Sim said SUPP targets to deliver all seven parliamentary seats that are traditionally allocated to the party namely Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Serian, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang, Miri.

SUPP’s leadership crisis  worsened in 2015 when its then deputy secretary general and Sibu branch chairman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh left the party to form UPP.

Joining the Bawang Assan assemblyman were three other elected representatives, namely Opar assemblyman Datuk Ranum Mina, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh) and Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili), which left SUPP with two state seats of Senadin and Simanggang.

Abang Johari meanwhile, has called on all former SUPP members to end their bickering and return to the party.

“We will support SUPP, there is no need for quarrel. Outsiders, please come home.

“If your heart is for the people and not personal gain, you will come back. Let us work together to unrest the seats from the opposition,” he said.

Barisan currently holds 25 out of 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak

– ANN