The threat by some 400 angry Iban members of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) to resign from the party over the termination of Egong anak Undong’s appointment as manager of the Sarikei Civic Centre has added more drama to the already beleaguered party.

The protesters, who gathered at the Sarikei Civic Centre yesterday morning, accused another SUPP camp led by Wong Soon Koh as being responsible for the drastic action against Egong, who is said to be “too close” to David Teng, a leader aligned to SUPP president Peter Chin.

They saw the termination of his appointment as a “retaliation” by the rebel group after one of their Bintangor leaders, Paul Hii, received a show-cause letter two weeks ago asking him to prove why action could not be taken against him.

“We consider the drastic action as not only disgraceful and embarrassing to Egong, but to the Iban community as a whole. Egong is the only Iban working there. Why was action taken against him?

“We want to know,” they said, pointing out that the termination of his appointment was unfair, improper and inconsistent with the practice and spirit of the Barisan Nasional government.

The protesters threatened to resign from the party and to vote for the opposition because of unfair treatment meted to the Iban community.

Among the community leaders who took turns to speak were Penghulu Michael Meling, Tuai Rumah Empaling Lanyau and Rentap Wong.

Egong, who has been working as the manager for the last two years, recently received a letter informing him that his term of office would end by the end of the month.

Egong said that no reason was given why his services were terminated, pointing out that it could be something to do with politics.

“It could be that I am too close to Teng, the former Repok assemblyperson. You know that Teng is in the team headed by Chin,” he said.

He confirmed that the protesters, including some community leaders like tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs) and penghulu , said that they were angry that he was removed as he is the only Iban holding such a post in Sarikei.

The action against Egong has further complicated SUPP’s problems in Sarikei.

Meanwhile, Paul Hii confirmed that he had received a show-cause letter from the party headquarters.

He was strongly against the Ding Huong Hiing’s candidacy in the state elections, which had been proposed by the headquarters. Instead, he campaigned for Thomas Hii, a former Meradong assemblyman to be the candidate.

Wong likely to be suspended

Like Paul Hii, Wong is also likely to be suspended from the party after issuing statements allegedly “prejudicial” to the interests of the party.

azlan Lately Wong had allegedly appointed close allies to be community leaders, councillors, political secretary and other political appointments, and his action in doing so without consulting the party headquarters had angered party leaders aligned to Chin.

The decision to take disciplinary action against him may be discussed this Saturday.

A member of SUPP’s central committee said that the internal squabbles among SUPP leaders in Sarikei are so widespread and deep-rooted that the party is slowly losing its grips on the Sarikei parliamentary constituency.

“This latest episode (the Ibans’ protest) is worsening and weakening the party’s chances in Sarikei,” said the member, who did not wish to be named.

“The support of some 14,000 Iban voters is crucial to SUPP’s victory,” they said, pointing out that the Chinese voters of 17,000 are deeply split.

The constituency has about 34,000 voters.

He said both Sarikei and Bintangor leaders are at loggerheads with Chin as well among themselves.

“It will be difficult for us to win here, especially when DAP is controlling both the Repok and Meradong seats that form the Sarikei parliamentary constituency,” he said.

Ding won the seat in 2008 with a 51-vote majority.