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Borneo Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
SUPP Kuching must learn from Batu Kawah branch to wrest back Padungan seat, says Yong
Yong (fourth left) presents a memento to Batu Kawah branch chairman Lim Ah Ted, witnessed by Temenggong Datuk Tan Joo Phoi (centre). — Photo by Tay Ya Hui KUCHING (Aug 17): The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Kuching branch must emulate its Batu Kawah counterpart in working hard to wrest the Padungan constituency from the opposition. Its chairperson Datuk Lily Yong said Padungan had been in the hands of the opposition for too long and the city centre lacked progress, especially compared to Batu Kawah. 'Have we seen any new changes in Padungan? Look at Batu Kawah, which is experiencing new changes. All Padungan needs is an elected representative in the government. 'Hence, we must work hard, learn from Batu Kawah and bring about positive changes to Padungan,' she said after leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on SUPP Batu Kawah on Saturday. The delegation also visited the Batu Kawah Riverbank Park for the first time to gain a better understanding of the constituency's current developments. After the visit, they gathered at a restaurant in Batu Kawah where both branches touched on SUPP's history and commemorated the spirit and contributions of party veterans as well as discussed how to strengthen cooperation for the next state election with the hope of bringing substantial changes to Sarawakians. Yong said although SUPP Kuching and Batu Kawah branches had not had formal exchanges for many years, their bond remained close. She added that the exchange session served to bridge that gap. The former Padungan assemblywoman acknowledged that the Batu Kawah branch played a crucial role in the early development of SUPP. 'Many veteran members, under difficult circumstances, dedicated themselves to grassroots work, helping the party gain trust and confidence from the people. 'Their selfless dedication has left a valuable legacy for the party and set an example for the younger generation,' she said. Yong said her branch chose Batu Kawah branch as their first stop for exchange sessions primarily because the Batu Kawah branch had actively visited various party branches in the past, laying the groundwork for unity and cooperation. 'We hope to learn from Batu Kawah and bring this spirit back to Kuching, especially in the Padungan constituency, to drive real changes. As you can see, Batu Kawa is experiencing real changes and that's what we want to bring back and tell the people of Kuching and Padungan,' she added. She said the Kuching branch must learn with humility if it aspired to see changes for the Padungan constituency. 'We cannot let Kuching and Padungan remain stuck in the old mindset, assuming that urban development is a matter of course that the government will take care of it,' she said. As such, Yong hoped that Kuching branch will work closely together with other branches, particularly the Batu Kawah branch, to strive for even greater success for SUPP in the next state polls. election Lily Yong Padungan Sarawak United People's Party
Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Dr Sim: SUPP will continue its role in Sarawak's nation-building, put Sarawakians first
SUPP Kuching chairperson Datuk Lily Yong (second left) presents a memento to Dr Sim. — Photo by Voon Siang Pin KUCHING (June 30): Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) will continue to play its role in the state's nation-building and always put the interests of Sarawakians above all else, said its president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The Deputy Premier said the party, since its establishment in 1959, had faced challenges and setbacks but these did not deter it from moving forward. 'We have been able to get to where we are today, not just because we continue to play our part in Sarawak's nation-building but also due to our firm belief and commitment to such goal rather than staying with the party for vested interests,' he said in his speech at the SUPP Kuching 66th anniversary celebration held at a hotel here on Sunday night. Dr Sim said SUPP has always been a multi-racial party that has stood together with Sarawakians through political ups and downs, as well as reforms. He said SUPP was not 'here to get rid of certain political parties' but to discard the obsolete mindset that hinders Sarawak's nation-building and progress. He further pointed out that as the oldest political party in Sarawak, it aimed to serve all Sarawakians and not a specific group. 'This is the key to our continued growth. SUPP has been able to win support from Sarawakians because it adopted pragmatic and self-reform approaches within the political mainstream, including having resolved to embrace unity and diversity in the past political crisis.' He also thanked former chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, for his support rendered when SUPP was struggling. 'We did not survive by cheering slogans, but action and commitment to make sacrifices have determined what we have today,' he said. He said that nobody looked up to Sarawak in the past but the state, after undergoing reforms and policy advancement, had become the new hope and focus of Malaysia. On the state's road to regaining autonomy, Dr Sim said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 had not been honoured for many years, which was the root cause for Sarawak's fight for equal treatment. He said Sarawak would continue to strengthen its autonomous powers in various fields including education while giving its best to improve economy and infrastructure. 'We don't just talk about nation-building—we build it with policies and results. We invest in education, provide monthly allowances and waive education fees for poor students in a bid to cultivate talents who can bring about change for Sarawak.' Although Sarawak does not get the desired allocations from Putrajaya, he said the state's current annual budget has grown to as high as RM15.8 billion to see more economic progress and infrastructure development. Dr Sim emphasised that the next five years would be a critical period for Sarawak's nation-building process, and thus called on Sarawakians to reject external destructive forces that create divisions and confusion. He also urged SUPP leaders and members to stay calm, remain united and continue to uphold the 'Sarawak First' principle. Dr Sim Kui Hian nation-building Sarawak FIrst Sarawak United People's Party
