The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) appears split over whether the party should join the state cabinet, a grave side effect of the party's poor showing in Saturday's state polls.

Troubles began stirring on Monday when party deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh was sworn in as a state cabinet minister, assuming his old post.

NONE Following this, SUPP central working committee said Wong's ( right ) move was unsanctioned by the party.

Currently, the CWC is mulling over whether the Chinese-based party should be represented in the state government after it became clear that it had lost the community's support after losing 13 out of 19 seats contested, with the losses all in urban areas.

It a strange twist, outgoing party president Dr George Chan endorsed Wong's move, despite their fierce rivalry, adding that the CWC position did not have his blessing .

Signs of desperation

To prevent the situation from deteriorating further, some SUPP grassroots are proposing that the party hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to let delegates decide the matter.

"We hope that the EGM will be called before the annual general meeting (AGM), or else it will be too late," said Tanjung Datu SUPP branch chief Pung Teng Hong, according to See Hua Daily News yesterday.

The party's triennial party conference which will include internal elections is scheduled for the year-end.

Pung argued that party unity was in jeapordy following Chan's endorsement of Wong's decision to accept a ministerial post, since it went against the CWC's.

He added that since the CWC had resolved to recommend ethnic Dayak and not ethnic Chinese for cabinet positions, the party members should abide by it.

NONE Other voices which joined his include SUPP vice-president Lily Yong, who said that Chan's endorsement of Wong was merely a "personal view".

"This is the decision by the CWC, all from top to bottom must adhere and respect," she said on the CWC's decision to keep Chinese representatives out of the cabinet.

The other sign of possible strife within the party includes the resignation of a Miri city councillor belonging to the party.

There is speculation that more SUPP city or municipal councillors would  step down soon because the party no longer enjoyed the urban electorate's support.