Senior SUPP leaders should leave, says Chan

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the party's senior leaders should leave with him at the party's Triennial Delegates' Conference (TDC) in December.

In an interview published by the New Sarawak Tribune Tuesday, July 19, Dr Chan was qouted as saying that he did not mince his words when he said the "old guards" had to do their bit for the sake of reviving the party.

"The party is grateful for our efforts all these years and now we should leave the party to new and young people who can work together without thinking of racialism, regionalism and being clannish," he said.

Dr Chan said he had personally written to the party branch leaders and asked them to retire and some had replied and agreed with his suggestion.

SUPP suffered its worst ever election defeat when it lost 13 seats out of the 19 it contested in the April 16 Sarawak state election. Dr Chan himself lost the Piasau seat to a rookie from DAP, Ling Sie Kiong.

"The only way out now is for those who failed in the election to leave. We need 30 per cent new people, 30 per cent young people and 30 per cent of the older generation to revive this party of ours," he said.

Stressing he was sincere in wanting the party to get back on its feet again, Dr Chan said he was not worried about what the party members said about him as he wanted to get new, young blood at the helm to bring a breath of fresh air to the party.

"If we really love the party, let the young blood run it the way they see fit," he said.

Dr Chan also pointed out that while there were plenty of leaders in the party, it was known that the younger generation was never given much chance to shine.

He will be going to Sibu on July 23, Miri (July 24), Sri Aman (July 30) and Kuching (July 31) to explain to the party members on this matter. - Bernama