Chin’s election ‘illegal’ claims Wong

The Sarawak United People's Party's contentious triennial delegates conference (TDC) over the weekend lacked a quorum, claims a rival group.

KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Peter Chin’s election as party president had been declared ‘illegal’ by its former deputy secretary general Wong Soon Koh.

According to Wong the triennial delegates conference (TDC) had lacked a quorum and as such the presidential election was illegal. Chin was elected yesterday amidst much controversy.

Wong who was also eyeing the president seat, had boycotted TDC claiming irregularities in branch elections. As such he automatically forfeited his right to contest.

Bengoh assemblyman Jerip Susil who is a member of Wong’s team, said: “The legality of SUPP triennial delegates conference (TDC) which ended on Sunday is questionable as about 300 out of 557 party delegates did not attend the meeting.”

Other members on Wong’s team included Tiong Thai King (MP for Lanang) and assemblymen Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Francis Harden (Simanggang), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Johnichal Rayong (Engkilili). Both Lee, Harden and Susil are also Assistant Ministers in Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s cabinet.

Susil said that there were 557 registered delegates for the meeting and a legitimate meeting should have had at least half of them or 279 delegates attending it.

“To prove its legality, I appeal for the list of attendants who signed up for the meeting to be made public.

“I was told there were only 301 delegates signing up, but, according to the list of delegates with us, more than 300 delegates did not turn up,” said Susil, the group spokesman.

Susil said the party’s constitution required that at least the minimum number of attendees turn up 30 minutes before and after the meeting had begun.

“If the quorum was insufficient, the meeting must then be postponed for two days.

“If 300 delegates were absent from the meeting, the ones turning up would be around 250,” he said.

He urged the party to make public the record of the attendees.

Susil made it clear that they did not wish to be part of the election irregularities that went against the constitution.

‘We have the list’

SUPP central committee has however disputed Susil’s allegations.

They claimed the actual attendance at the TDC was 328 out 553 qualified delegates.

“Should the need arise, the attendance lists are ready for ROS’ (Registrar of Societies) inspection.

“However, the lists should not be made known to the public at this moment to avoid causing uneasiness for some who attended,” said SUPP in a statement.

The statement further noted that it was aware that some of the delegates were under pressure not to attend the TDC.

“Some intended to bid goodbye to the out-going party leaders including the out-going party president and party secretary general, but were whisked away.

“We hereby strongly appeal to all party members not to question the legality of this TDC.

“If one loves the party and is sincere in helping to revive the party, then he (Wong) should not drag the party into further trouble,” the statement said.

On this score, a visibly worried Chin said: “I want to make a plea on behalf of the party to all central committee members and party members in those branches who did not turn up for our TDC this time.

“Please do not feel that you are no longer needed in the party. Please do not feel that you are already not part of SUPP. We want you to work with us, the central committee and the central working committee.

“We will send our team and CWC members to your areas in Sibu, Opar, Bintulu and all the branches that did turn up for the TDC to get in touch and to connect with you.

“Our reports will be sent to you, and whatever functions we organise we will invite you.

“I hope you will respond and to be part and parcel of SUPP team again especially in view of the pending parliamentary election,” Chin said.