PDP Youth deputy chief accuses SUPP of ‘double standards’ in KMKK appointment dispute

SIBU (Feb 3): Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP)’s recent statements against Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing are fundamentally flawed and morally inconsistent, says PDP Youth Central Committee deputy chief Yiak Chiong Wei.

Yiak described the statement as a classic case of playing both sides.

He said SUPP enjoyed the benefits behind closed doors, yet rushed to claim the moral high ground in public, and that such political behaviour cannot withstand serious scrutiny.

“If SUPP is truly as innocent and aggrieved as it claims, it should openly disclose the full list of the community leaders (KMKK),” he added.

Yiak’s statement came after SUPP’s Central Publicity and Information Secretariat, in a separate statement, accused Tiong of disrespecting the state Cabinet’s authority and undermining the spirit of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) with his emotionally charged attacks on SUPP president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian over the recent appointments of Chinese community leaders in Sibu.

Referring to Kuching, Pelawan, Miri, Bukit Assek and Bintulu, Yiak questioned how many positions each party had received, or whether SUPP had dominated all of them.

“Did anyone ‘sapu’ everything? If the numbers are legitimate, there should be no reason for secrecy.”

The PDP Tanjong Batu Youth chief said what was more concerning is that in certain areas, such as Bintulu, simply because one candidate was deemed unfavourable by SUPP, an appointment could be overturned outright, even after procedures were completed and approved by the relevant committee.

“I urge SUPP to stop hiding behind grand rhetoric and victim narratives. It should place all facts on the table and allow the public to judge. There is no need for political theatre. Transparency alone is sufficient.”

Yiak said SUPP’s president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Sarawak Deputy Premier, might as well establish a SUPP-only KMKK Selection Committee or even a State Secretary-led committee where all decisions follow SUPP’s preferences directly.

He also claimed that SUPP insisted that all appointments follow Cabinet-approved quotas.

“If that is the case, then the most convincing response is full disclosure. The numbers should be published and the allocations explained clearly. If everything is done according to proper procedures, there is nothing to hide.

“When quotas benefit SUPP, it invokes the Cabinet system. When outcomes do not suit SUPP, it relies on the State Secretary’s authority to overturn decisions.”

He further said that it is even more ironic that SUPP had accused Tiong of being a “parachute candidate”, while deliberately turning a blind eye to the fact that Tiong was born and raised in Dudong, Sibu.

“Has SUPP reached the point of wilful self-deception, to the extent that it now ignores even the obvious reality that many of its own representatives and candidates were not ‘born and bred’ in the constituencies they contest?”

Yiak said PDP has exercised restraint because they value GPS and believe alliances should be built on consultation, mutual respect, and institutional trust.

“However, SUPP has repeatedly targeted PDP while remaining silent towards other GPS partners. It pressures us step by step and pushes boundaries without regard for collective principles.

“Any party with dignity would inevitably ask how long such cooperation can last.”

He said it is increasingly clear that SUPP hopes to marginalise PDP in order to consolidate unchecked power at the local level.

“PDP has never demanded special privileges. We insist only on fairness, transparency, and respect for institutions. We want a GPS that functions on rules and dialogue, not an alliance hollowed out by dominance and fear.”