Sarawak United People's Party's (Supp) central working committee (CWC) members today jointly signed a pledge of support for party president Dr George Chan in the wake of recent criticisms against his leadership.

Among the 24 CWC members who signed the written pledge were his two most recent critics - deputy president and former Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding and vice-president and Works Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Yong Khoon Seng.

Both were present at a two-hour meeting chaired by Chan, who is Sarawak deputy chief minister, at the Supp headquarters in Kuching.

According to sources, Chan had insisted on the CWC members giving such a pledge after strong public criticisms from several party leaders on his leadership style, particularly in arriving at certain major decisions concerning the recent general election and government appointments.

Resolved amicably

At the end of the meeting, the CWC issued a three-paragraph statement, admitting there had been 'certain misunderstanding' between the party president and his deputy concerning the appointment of a federal minister.

The statement said "it was normal for a political party to encounter leadership disagreement at a certain stage of time."

"We are glad (however) that this subject has been resolved amicably," according to the statement.

Perhaps to try and explain why Law had voiced his displeasure with the party president in public, the statement said in this episode both the party president and his deputy had all the good intention to strengthen the party.

"Unfortunately, certain views expressed by Law could have been misinterpreted, causing some embarrassment to the party president," it said, adding however that "it might not be a bad thing after all to learn from some valuable lessons from the recent episode."

The CWC said that there was relief as "the air has been cleared and the party remains as united as ever."

Supp secretary-general Sim Kheng Hui told reporters the CWC today resolved to make certain changes to party policies to strengthen the party's mechanism and improve its performance in the government.

"These will be implemented very soon to revatilize Supp," he said.

According to political observers, this is clearly in response to recent criticisms from within the party that all too often important decisions have been made in the past without proper consultation at the appropriate forums.

Meeting reporters after the meeting, Chan, with Law seated on his left, said the CWC has also decided to limit the terms of party leaders in all government positions, including ministerial and political secretary posts, in order to give younger leaders a chance so that the party could move on.

A CWC source told malaysiakini that in the case of the president, this would be limited to three terms or 15 years, and in the case of the deputy president and the rest two terms or 10 years. This is expected to take immediate effect.

No hard and fast rules

Meanwhile, Law who had a meeting earlier in the morning with Chan in the presence of Supp treasurer-general David Teng, who is also an assistant state minister, told reporters he was glad that the matter had been settled.

Yong who is also Stampin MP said he had kept quiet in the recent past after rumours which he described as 'truly hurting' had been circulating in coffee-shops and reached the ears of his supporters that he had not been promoted to deputy minister because he was not 'performing'.

Chan and several top leaders present, including Law, Sim and Teng, sat quietly when Yong said he could therefore not allow the rumours to go on as it was not true and so he had to speak out.

He apologised to the party if he had used very strong language to express his feelings.

Yong pointed out the truth is that he had worked hard both as an MP and as Parliamentary Secretary and did not want to suffer in silence if the rumours were not quashed.

Chan joined in later to say such rumours were mischievous and did not know where it originated.

"Yong has been a good party member and good Parliamentary Secretary," he said in a pacifying tone.

On the criteria for recommending the party's elected representatives to government positions, the party president said there were no hard and fast rules. He declined to elaborate.