Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Peter Chin is very worried that the party may be pushed into the ‘dustbin’ of history if it loses the seven parliamentary seats allocated to it in the coming general election.

The seats are Serian, Stampin, Bandar Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri. Except for Serian, the rest are Chinese majority seats, of which Bandar Kuching and Sibu are currently in the hands of the DAP.

peter chin Chin (right) , who is also the Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, described the coming election as a matter of “life and death” for the party.

“It is a ‘do or die’ battle, and we must win it (battle). We cannot afford to lose otherwise the history of SUPP will be rewritten,” he said in a speech read out by SUPP Kota Sentosa branch secretary Lo Khere Chiang at a dinner to celebrate the party’s 53rd anniversary at the Segabong SUPP branch.

“The party’s survival hinges on its performance in the impending polls, and all members must work hand in hand to ensure the party wins all the seven seats,” he said.

Chin asked other branches to organise a similar function in order to unite the members and the people.

His concern is understandable as the party is deeply disunited following last year’s party triennial delegates’ conference which some members have said have been manipulated.

Meanwhile party treasurer-general David Teng, who was present at the dinner, accused members who did not respect the decisions of the party of being “betrayers”.

“This is because respect for the party decisions constitutes one of the two crucial elements to ensure unity prevails in the party.

NONE “The other crucial component is that all members must show their care and concern for the party, especially in view of the impending general election.

“These two factors are very important because if party members cannot adopt these two factors, it will affect the party in the upcoming election.

“These members can be viewed as betrayers,” Teng added.

In last year’s state election, SUPP suffered a major setback when it lost 13 out 19 seats it contested. Several key leaders including the then-party president George Chan, the deputy party chief and the party’s treasurer-general and Assistant Minister (Teng) lost their seats.

SUPP’s defeat in the 13 seats was attributed to the internal bickering and serious disagreements over several policy issues such as the formation of several branches, including the Dudong branch.