KUCHING: The leadership of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and its splinter party United People’s party (UPP) had been urged to put aside their differences and unite to help in the state’s development.
Former SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said both parties should set aside their past differences and instead focus their efforts for a brighter future.
He said as the former leader of Sarawak’s oldest political party which was established in 1959, he was hopeful that both parties will be reunited again, more so with the upcoming 14th General Election (GE14).
“Personally, I had wanted to see leaders of both parties to let bygones be bygones and reconcile, for a long time.
“We have to look at the future and ensure the party is strong to help the state government to implement policies for the prosperity of the people,” he said.
Dr Chan who spoke to reporters at the SUPP Chinese New Year open house, here today, was the party’s fourth president between 1997 and 2011.
He said Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently had also urged both parties to resolve their differences and concentrate on GE14.
Meanwhile, SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the party is willing to accept former party members returning to its fold.
“Many UPP members, including several leaders are ex-SUPP members and I invite them to return to the party,” he said.