Lau leads UPP’s appeal to ministry to retain Wong as SMC deputy chairman

All four branches of United People’s Party (UPP) in Sibu yesterday appealed to the Ministry of Local Government to retain Dato Andrew Wong as deputy chairman of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).

Pelawan branch chairperson Datuk Janet Lau said the decision to discontinue Wong’s service as deputy chairman was too sudden and could not be accepted.

“It is too sudden and he had planned a lot of things for Sibu and suddenly it stopped here and all things he had planned for cannot be carried on.

“He had proved himself a capable leader for the past two-and-a-half years as deputy chairman.

“We feel very sad if he was not re-appointed and we strongly appeal to the Local Government Ministry to retain him and allow him to fulfill his plans for Sibu,” she told a press conference.

Janet was accompanied by representatives from the four branches, namely Pelawan, Bukit Assek, Bawang Assan and Dudong at the press conference held at Bawang Assan branch office.

It was reported that member of PartiPesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women’s Wing would take over Wong’s post in SMC.

Janet reiterated that Wong had done so much for people here including road repair and upgrading.

She added that Wong had also been working hard to fight for city status for Sibu, to prepare for Visit Sibu Year (VSY) 2017 and open sky for Sibu.

“The VSY had already quite prepared but has yet to be implemented. He even successfully acquired an allocation to carry out the project and other projects such as road repairs; if the government stopped it, who is going to continue it?” she asked.

 She also said that Sibu had all the criteria to be a city status and the people only need time to see it come true.

“Let Andrew stay to fulfill all these things for Sibu people; this is not for the party, but for Sibu people,” she said.

She also appealed to the government to keep in service those who are good and willing to serve.

“Do not drag in personal conflicts or issues; put political differences and grievances aside and give those who can serve well a chance,” she added.

She said Sibu could not afford to lose young people who were dynamic, energetic and advance in thinking in taking Sibu to a greater height.

Janet said they were fighting for Wong not because he was the son of Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, but because he was a good leader.

She also said that she was puzzled as to why the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) had decided to let go of the deputy chairman post to a non-Chinese.

“Why didn’t they fight for Chinese representative as the deputy? I think I am not the only one who is puzzled by it, but people of Sibu as well,” she said.

Meanwhile, representative of UPP Bawang Assan Wong Hie Ping said Andrew had the capability and was bold enough to take up challenges and make breakthrough.

“He had successfully got the allocation for VSY and had come out with a series of programme. It would be hard for anyone to take over and I cannot imagine not having him around to lead VSY,” she said.

She said as soon as Andrew took office, everybody felt the pressure as he was a strict man and wanted to get things done.

“I know many had felt that pressure, but it was a good pressure because once you understand him and cooperate with him, you will understand what kind of path he is leading Sibu and Sibu needs such a leader,” she pointed out.

She also said that one of Andrew’s biggest contributions to Sibu was creating a platform for the youths.

Lau feared the youths might lose their platform to showcase their talents and capability in serving the people once Wong had been dropped.

Also present at the press conference were UPP Bukit Assek chairman Kapitan Ting Chek Ming and two representatives from Dudong branch Oliver Guo and Pau Kiew Chuang.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Jane Moh

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