KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian has no intention to contest for the Stampin parliamentary seat.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday, Dr. Sim brushed aside the ‘talk’ and said it was just pure speculation.
Dr. Sim, who is also Local Government Minister, said he believed in giving the younger generation a ‘chance’ to perform and to continue with the work.
“I am not going to be around forever and one day, I have to hand over the baton to someone younger. So part of my task is also grooming the younger generation and preparing them to take over the leadership one day,” he added.
He pointed out that he had a lot to do in his ministry and the party as well as looking after the Batu Kawah state constituency.
“I want to say the party is not only about Dr. Sim but the whole team. There must be team work. If everything depends on me, I would fail in what I am set out to do. Thus team work and getting every one involved is vital.
SUPP was at its lowest point when Dr Sim took over as president. The internal conflict started as early as when Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan was the president and continued when Tan Sri Peter Chin took over after Dr Chan lost Piasau seat in the state election in April 2011.
The party only won six out of 19 seats contested. When Chin took over, the situation in the party worsened and two branches were even issued with showcause letters. When Chin handed the party’s leadership to Dr. Sim, everyone was ready to write off the party after Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh was fired from the party and formed the United People’s Party (UPP).
In the run up to the state election in May 2016, there was again squabble between the SUPP and UPP for seats of which SUPP was given 13 seats.
In the election, SUPP won seven seats, including several seats that were lost to DAP during the previous state election.
Many people are of the opinion that should Dr Sim should stand as BN candidate for Stampin in the coming parliamentary election as his chances of winning the seat is high.
