Groom up the young to take over: Dr Sim

SIBU: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) must be open to providing opportunities for the younger generation to lead.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the move is crucial for the party’s sustenance.

Dr Sim delivers his speech.

“These young leaders are the future of the party, and my potential successors and of other leaders. SUPP must be ready to give way to them to ensure its survival, as no position is permanent,” he said during his speech at SUPP’s 65th anniversary luncheon at a prominent hotel here yesterday (Sept 29).

The SUPP president, who also serves as the Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, urged members to avoid a ‘termite’ mindset, which can harm the party by causing internal division.

“The desire for power and the ‘termite’ attitude will only risk fragmenting the party. Tolerance, unity, and solidarity — treating this party as a shared responsibility among all its members — are what will keep SUPP relevant in the long term,” he added.

Reflecting on the party’s 65-year history, Dr Sim noted that its continued existence is a result of the collective responsibility shown by its members.

“For SUPP to remain strong in Sarawak’s political arena, all members must uphold unity and be prepared to embrace transformation in line with changing circumstances.”

Bukit Assek assemblyman and organising committee chairman Joseph Chieng, in his welcoming remarks, said the event was especially significant as it marked the second time SUPP Sibu had hosted an anniversary celebration at the central party level.

“The first one was organised in 1989 to celebrate SUPP’s 30th anniversary by the late Datuk Robert Lau Hui Chew as the organising chairman,” he said.

More than 2,000 party members attended the event, representing branches from Opar and Lundu to Telang Usan in the northernmost part of the state.

Also present were SUPP vice president Lee Kim Shin, SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting, SUPP deputy treasurer-general Senator Robert Lau, SUPP Youth chief Datuk Michael Tiang and SUPP Women’s chief Kho Teck Wan.

The SUPP 65th anniversary luncheon.