The eagerly awaited announcement of disciplinary action against Sarawak Local Government and Community Development Minister Wong Soon Koh did not come out as expected when Sarawak United People’s Party secretary-general Sim Kui Hian told reporters today that the complaints against Wong were still in the hands of the party’s disciplinary committee.

However, two of Wong’s supporters, namely Stephen Wong Kie Yong from Sarikei and Hii Huat Chuong from Bintangor, have been sacked based on recommendations made by the disciplinary committee.

NONE The two had been very vocal against the new SUPP leadership led by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Peter Chin.

“As regards the disciplinary complaints against Wong Soon Koh relating to alleged misconducts brought up by central committee (CC) members during the last CC meeting in September and those submitted by certain branches of the party, the Central Working Committee (CWC) had referred the complaints to the disciplinary committee,” said Sim ( left ) to reporters.

“We must allow the disciplinary committee to investigate first,” he said, pointing out that the CWC would act on whatever recommendations made by the disciplinary committee.

The complaints against Wong were that he had failed to refer to or consult the party on matters affecting the party’s interests such appointing community leaders, political secretaries, councilors and other government posts.

Meanwhile Sim refused to comment on whether it was a deliberate tactic by the party to delay action against Wong, who is also the Sibu branch chairperson, despite the fact that Wong had allegedly committed gross insubordination against the party leadership.

'Resignations would affect SUPP's GE prep'

According to party sources, SUPP is not likely to take action against Wong for now, even though he had challenged them to take action against him.

“We don’t want to fall into his bait,” said the sources.

“Any action against him will bring the party into chaos. The five state assemblypersons aligned to  him would also resign from the party as well as their supporters.

“Such resignations would affect our preparations for the coming general election,” they said.

NONE Those in Wong’s camp includes Bengoh assemblyperson and Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil ( right ), Ranum Minda (Opar assemblyerson), Johnichal Rayong (Engkilili assemblyperson), Francis Harden (Simanggang assemblyperson and Assistant Minister), Lee Kim Shin (Senadin assemblyperson and Assistant Minister) and the Lanang MP Tiong Thai King.

The SUPP secretary-general also refused to comment on speculation the rebel group will form a new political party upon their expulsion from SUPP.

According to the rumours, Wong and his group would form a new political party together with the expelled Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) leaders.

The expelled SPDP leaders are Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru assemblyperson), Sylvester Entri (Marud assemblyperson), Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau assemblyperson), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu assemblyperson) and Mas Gading MP Tiki Lafe.

These former SPDP leaders have been partyless since November last year.

The rumours say that if the two groups form a new party, it would become the second largest party in the state Barisan Nasional, with 10 state seats and two members of parliament.

Currently Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has 35 seats, while Parti Rakyat Sarawak has eight, SUPP has six and SPDP one.

But if the six assemblypersons leave SUPP, it will have none.

The writer, who uses a pseudonym, is based in Sarawak.