SUPP shocked traditional seats given to GPS partners

 

SUPP, one of four component parties in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said it was shocked that two of its traditional seats have been allocated to their coalition partners to contest.

"It is shocking because it happened within 24 hours yesterday. Before that, we had been expecting to contest in 20 of our traditional seats.

"However, that is the decision of the GPS leadership and we accept it. We are ready to move as one to ensure victory in the 12th state election," SUPP president Sim Kui Hian was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.

The two seats are Dudong and Mambong.

Sim said he will still campaign for GPS in the two seats "if the opportunity arises" but stressed that the priority is his "own home".

In the 2016 state election, the Mambong and Dudong seats were contested by BN direct candidates. GPS was at the time the Sarawak chapter of BN.

The BN direct candidates formula was a compromise amid a split in SUPP where a faction led by Wong Soon Koh broke away and formed the United People's Party (UPP).

In the 2016 state election, UPP leaders were fielded in the two SUPP seats as BN direct candidates.

The UPP leaders Tiong Thai King and Jerip Susil won in Dudong and Mambong respectively.

UPP later became Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and switched its government-friendly position to become the opposition.

Jerip, however, joined PBB. GPS is comprised of PBB, PRS, SUPP, and PDP. He will be defending the Mambong seat.

Meanwhile, PDP president Tiong King Sing will contest in Dudong. - Mkini