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Free Malaysia Today
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PDP-SUPP feud won't affect GPS election chances, says academic
A compromise between PDP and SUPP is likely to be negotiated behind closed doors, according to a political analyst. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The recent spat between state government coalition partners Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) will not jeopardise the re-election chances of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak, according to an academic. James Chin of the University of Tasmania said the dispute was mainly a fight between PDP president Tiong King Sing and SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian, both attempting to expand their parties' influence. James Chin. It was 'highly unlikely' that opposition parties would be able to capitalise on the feud, Chin said, as the constituencies fought over by the two parties are not part of the opposition parties' voter bases. 'Ba'kelalan is a Orang Ulu area, while Engkilili and Bawang Assan are Dayak-majority areas,' he told FMT. He said PDP 'has been emboldened' with the admission of members from the now-dissolved Parti Sarawak Bersatu into the party and was now 'trying to expand their foothold in Sarawak' by going after SUPP seats, traditionally in urban Chinese areas. PDP has traditionally been in Dayak areas. In the 2021 state election, Tiong was fielded by GPS and won in Dudong, a traditional SUPP seat, causing much ire within SUPP. Tensions have spiked between the two parties, with SUPP's Dudong chief Wong Ching Yong declaring it an 'open conflict' on Monday. Last year, three assemblymen from PSB joined PDP, taking with them three traditional SUPP seats. PSB, led by Wong Soon Koh until its dissolution, is a splinter of SUPP. After joining PDP, Wong was subsequently named its vice-president. Chin said PBB, the largest party in GPS, would not intervene in this dispute and may even 'watch what is happening with glee'. Awang Azman Pawi. However, socio-political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said PBB would not allow the spat to last too long and will negotiate a closed-door compromise between the two parties. He said PDP seeks Engkilili, Bawang Assan and Ba'kelalan because they believe SUPP has failed to gain ground in the first two seats, and PDP has also done a lot of groundwork among the Lun Bawang and other ethnic communities in Ba'kelalan. Awang Azman said the allocation of these seats will be dependent on each party's past performance and contribution to GPS, as well as their acceptance by the grassroots. Chin said it is too early to know which party will be fielded in these seats as seat negotiations have not started, but added that GPS has usually allowed the incumbent parties to recontest their seats.
Malay Mail
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sarawak state assembly to hold special one-day sitting on July 7; Premier to table undisclosed item
KUCHING, June 21 — A special one-day sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has been scheduled for July 7, according to a letter sighted by The Borneo Post. The letter, signed by DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, has been circulated to all assembly members. However, it does not disclose the agenda of the sitting, which is set to begin at 9am. When asked about it at an event here today, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said only that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg would be 'tabling something' during the sitting, without providing further details. — The Borneo Post
Free Malaysia Today
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Abang Jo to ‘table something' at special Sarawak assembly sitting
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg is expected to table a bill at a special one-day sitting of the state assembly. PETALING JAYA : The Sarawak legislative assembly will convene on July 7 for a special one-day sitting, with state premier Abang Johari Openg expected to table a bill. The Borneo Post reported that a letter on the special sitting, which starts at 9am, has been sent to assemblymen, although the purpose was not disclosed. Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian was also reticent about the agenda of the meeting when asked by reporters, saying simply that Abang Johari would be 'tabling something' on the day without elaborating further.
Free Malaysia Today
29-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Prove ‘divisive' label, Sarawak DAP tells Sim
Sarawak DAP secretary Violet Yong said SUPP's willingness to work with PAS under the PN government is not in line with Sarawak's multicultural values. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak DAP has challenged Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian to prove his claim that the party is 'divisive'. Sarawak DAP secretary Violet Yong reminded Sim that his Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) had worked with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its influential component PAS when Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chose to align with PN in 2020. In a statement to FMT, Yong said this was proof that SUPP was willing to work with 'extremists' whose agendas ran counter to Sarawak's multicultural values. 'That decision alone speaks volumes about their priorities and the compromises they are willing to make in the name of political expediency,' she said. 'I challenge Dr Sim to point to a single example where DAP has ever divided Sarawakians. When have we ever played the politics of race or religion? The answer is never.' Sim said yesterday that Sarawak had enjoyed prolonged political stability because DAP was never part of the state government. The GPS vice-chairman also said that DAP was divisive and polarising, Dayak Daily reported. Yong, the Pending assemblyman, accused Sim of 'political ignorance and whitewashing' with his statement, calling it a 'gross insult' to the fundamentals of parliamentary democracy. She said DAP, which won only two out of 82 seats at the last state polls, accepted the results and had worked on being an effective opposition by providing checks and balances. 'That is the essence of democracy – not blind obedience to those in power, but principled service to the rakyat. 'True political stability is achieved when every voice is heard, when power is held accountable, and when governance is inclusive – not when the ruling elite is shielded from scrutiny.'
Free Malaysia Today
27-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak stable because ‘divisive' DAP not in state govt, says Sim
Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said Gabungan Parti Sarawak must be on guard against enemies both within and outside the state, and even within the ruling state coalition. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak has enjoyed prolonged political stability because DAP has never been part of the state government, says deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian. He claimed DAP was divisive and polarising, adding that it had not shed these attributes over time, Dayak Daily reported. The Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) president added that the Bornean state was a beacon of unity and progress at a time when the entire world, including Peninsular Malaysia, was bogged down by disunity and politicking. 'We are blessed with political stability under the visionary leadership of Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg. This is because we do not have DAP in the Sarawak government. 'They are always divisive, polarising and politicking, disguising their actions as championing the people's cause,' he was quoted as saying in the Sarawak legislative assembly today. Sim, a vice-chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said GPS must be on guard against enemies both within and outside Sarawak, and even within the ruling state coalition. FMT has reached out to several Sarawak DAP leaders for comment.
