SUPP Kuching Branch sets up task force, names deputy chairman as acting chief after Lily Yong’s expulsion

KUCHING (March 26): Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kuching Branch has formed a special task force and appointed acting leaders following the expulsion of its chairman Datuk Lily Yong and secretary Voong Nam Jin by the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC).

Branch Youth chief Nicholas Wung said a meeting was convened tonight, during which deputy chairman Jong Yean Pin was appointed acting chairman in accordance with the party constitution, while he assumed the role of acting secretary.

“The branch will continue to function as usual.

“Most of the day-to-day operations have already been handled by the committee, so all our activities, including mobile service programmes, will go on as planned,” he told a press conference after the meeting at the branch service centre here.

Wung clarified that the acting appointments took immediate effect and did not involve new positions, as both Jong and himself were already holding deputy roles within the branch.

He also said no branch election would be held as it is not required under the party constitution.

On the expulsion, Wung said the decision was conveyed through a letter dated March 16, although the expulsion took effect from March 9.

According to the notice, both Yong and Voong have 30 days from the date of the letter to appeal to the CWC, with the deadline falling around April 15 or 16.

“Whether they will appeal is entirely their personal decision.

“As a branch, we will respect and support whatever decision they make,” he said.

Wung said the expulsion stemmed from a complaint related to matters involving the Kuching Golf Club (KGC), which dates back to July 3, 2025.

However, he pointed out that the details of the disciplinary findings have yet to be made available, even to those involved.

“As of now, we have not seen the full grounds of decision or the evidence leading to the expulsion.

“Even the two individuals concerned have not been given access to these documents, as far as we understand,” he said.

In response, the branch has formed a task force led by its acting chairman and acting secretary, together with several lawyers within the branch, to look into the matter and seek further clarification.

“We want to understand the basis of the decision.

“Many members are asking what exactly led to this outcome, and we believe we have the right to know,” he said.

Describing the development as “shocking”, Wung said the inquiry process appeared to have been conducted within a short timeframe, with each individual reportedly undergoing less than a day of inquiry following earlier interview sessions.

He added that the disciplinary proceedings were handled by the party’s disciplinary committee before the matter was submitted to the CWC for deliberation.