Tiong accuses SUPP of ‘political disrespect’ over community leaders’ appointments

SIBU (Jan 31): Dato Seri Tiong King Sing has hit out at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), accusing it of behind-the-scenes actions in the appointment of local leaders, allegedly overriding public consensus.

“Regarding the ceremony to hand out appointment letters by Sarawak Deputy Premier and SUPP president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian to community leaders and tuai rumah in the Dudong and Bawang Assan state constituencies, I wish to say this: if the SUPP truly believes that PDP’s participation is unnecessary, including in the upcoming elections, then it should state so openly and clearly, instead of resorting to unilateral behind-the-scenes actions,” the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president said in a post on his official Facebook page on Saturday.

He pointed out that appointments were transparently discussed by the Selection Committee, where consensus had already been reached.

“However, several candidates were added, removed, or even replaced without authorisation. This is akin to slap in the face of decision-making by consensus.

“If this is how matters are handled, we should just dissolve the Selection Committee,” added Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman.

He stressed that any appointment of a community leader or tuai rumah must proceed with the consent of the local elected representative.

“This is clearly a political disrespect.

“It violates our cultural and political norms, even humiliates our coalition partnership in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS),” he stated.

Tiong emphasised that the authority to appoint community leaders and tuai rumah belongs to the longhouse communities and grassroots.

It has never been the political asset of any party and no single party can monopolise or manipulate it, he added.

“It is dishonest to say that a single party can decide the appointments on its own,” Tiong said.

Tiong noted that some individuals, particularly certain Kapitans who were absent during the recent floods, had long lost the trust of the people and that the grassroots had demanded their replacement.

“However, after the selection process had been completed in line with established procedures, the decision was overturned at the last minute in the name of the State Secretary, replacing them with candidates earlier rejected by the grassroots,” he claimed.

According to Tiong, the matter was not handled by consensus and PDP leaders were only informed at the last moment to attend, resulting in their absence at the ceremony.

Tiong emphasised that he had no intention of offending anyone, but said respect must be mutual and earned through proper conduct.

“This incident is nothing short of a violation of the spirit of unity, discipline, and collective leadership that GPS has long championed,” he said, cautioning that if such behaviour is allowed to continue, it will set an extremely destructive precedent as though any coalition party may arbitrarily treat voters in another party’s constituency as its own “sphere of influence”.