SUPP United in Facing Sibu By-election

The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) is united in facing the upcoming Sibu parliamentary by-election, party president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said today.

"We are very happy that the Sibu branch has got one voice. Now, we really need to go to the ground and redouble our ongoing efforts to win," he told a news conference at the party's Sibu branch office, here.


Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had yesterday confirmed SUPP's choice of Robert Lau Hui Yew as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the by-election, saying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had given his approval.

Hui Yew is a second cousin of Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, the federal deputy transport minister whose death on April 9 has necessitated the by-election, nomination for which is on May 8 and polling, on May 16.

"We are 110 per cent behind him (Hui Yew). He has been with the late Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, the five-term MP, for a long, long time. He knows his dreams... his ways of doing things. In his memory, we want to ensure that Robert Lau junior will accomplish all the unfulfilled dreams of Robert Lau senior," said Dr Chan.

Among those with him at the news conference were Sibu Branch chairman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King and Pelawan state assemblyman Vincent Goh Chung Siong.

Dr Chan said the SUPP machinery was unfazed by the challenge posed by the opposition which he added was banking on Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng to "duel" with Hui Yew.

Wong had stood against Hoi Chew in the constituency in 1995, 2004 and 2008 but lost each time.

Dr Chan said he was confident the Chinese voters would remember the good deeds of Hoi Chew and would want someone like Hui Yew to carry on with his unfinished dreams, particularly in education development.

Asked if this would translate into votes for the BN, he said: "Many of our people follow Confucius's values. One of the greatest values is gratitude. I think the Chinese people respect Confucius a lot. I am sure they will know what to do. We don't have to spell it out."


- Bernama