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SIBU (Feb 4): The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Central Region has accused the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) of attempting to deflect attention from the latter’s interference in Dudong affairs.
PDP Central Region claimed in a statement that the core issue raised by PDP president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing concerned SUPP president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian’s actions in the constituency.
PDP Central Region said rather than responding substantively, SUPP had chosen to revive a candidacy issue from the 2021 Sarawak state election.
“This tactic does not answer the question at hand. It avoids responsibility and misleads the public. Such political behaviour lacks credibility and cannot withstand scrutiny,” claimed PDP Central Region.
The statement was in response to SUPP’s Central Publicity and Information Secretariat accusing Tiong of disrespecting the state Cabinet’s authority and undermining the spirit of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) with his attacks against Dr Sim over the recent appointments of Chinese community leaders.
According to PDP Central Region, in the 2021 Sarawak state election, the decision for Tiong to contest in Dudong was made by GPS chairman and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“It was a collective decision by GPS, taken with a clear objective to secure the seat. The political reality is equally clear.
“Without Tiong’s candidacy in 2021, GPS would have faced a high risk of losing Dudong, given SUPP’s repeated failures to win the constituency in previous elections. This is not political narrative. It is historical fact,” claimed PDP Central Region.
It questioned whether SUPP is now disputing Abang Johari’s decision.
“If not, then it should stop making indirect insinuations and confusing the public. If yes, then SUPP must state its position openly, because such a stance effectively challenges the chairman’s judgement, authority, and leadership.”
It pointed out Tiong is the duly elected representative of Dudong.
PDP Central Region claimed that under Sarawak’s long-established political practice and principles of good governance, the elected assemblyman has the final authority in the appointment of community leaders.
“Community leaders are required to work closely with the local representative on a long-term basis in managing public affairs and implementing development initiatives.
“Ultimately, it is the people who benefit from this working relationship,” it said.
PDP Central Region claimed that Dr Sim’s external intervention has created confusion at the grassroots level, weakened coordination, and eroded Tiong’s legitimacy in the eyes of voters.
“More importantly, if such conduct continues, the greatest casualty will not be any single party or individual, but GPS itself. There will be no winners. Only the opposition will benefit.”
PDP Central Region said the success of any coalition is shared and failure is collective.
“When member parties undermine one another and disregard agreed boundaries, the alliance does not need external pressure to collapse. It weakens itself from within.
“GPS must therefore be more than a symbolic coalition. It must uphold discipline, respect collective decisions, and prevent any member or individual from overstepping authority at the grassroots level.”
PDP Central Region added if SUPP is genuinely committed to the unity and stability of GPS, it must confront the real issue, stop shifting narratives, and respect both local electoral mandates and coalition mechanisms.
“Otherwise, once internal conflict becomes the norm, the opposition will not even need to intervene. The outcome will already be sealed,” it added.
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