Wong Soon Koh, senior minister in the cabinet of Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and chairperson of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Sibu branch, is certain to face disciplinary action this time around following the demand made by members of the SUPP Central Committee (CC), the power behind the party.

Complaints against him had been passed to the party’s disciplinary committee after the CC meeting in September last year.

The disciplinary committee should have completed the investigations into the complaints, but until now it has yet to submit its report with its recommendation to the Central Working Committee (CWC), the implementing arm of the party.

NONE The complaints against Wong (right) were that he had failed to consult and comply with the decision and the policy of the party’s Central Committee in discharging his duty in the government that affected the party’s interests, including the nomination of community leaders, council chairpersons and councillors, political secretaries, state awards and federal awards and other political appointees.

Wong had allegedly appointed people who are his supporters for these positions.

Wong, who is the leader of a dissident group which comprises five lawmakers - Ranom Mina (Opar), Jerip Susil, (Bengoh and assistant minister), Francis Harden (Simanggang and assistant minister), Lee Kim shin (Senadin and assistant minister), and Johnichal Rayong (Engkilili) - had also issued statements critical of party president Peter Chin’s leadership.

It is believed that the party had been reluctant to take action against Wong and a number of others earlier because of the 13th general election, as well as due to hope that the factions can be reconciled.

So far the party had sacked two members aligned to Wong’s group.

Angry members blast leadership

At yesterday’s CC meeting angry members blasted the leadership for the indecisive action taken against Wong.

“Arising from their criticism, the 90 members attending the meeting have adopted a resolution, demanding stern disciplinary action to be taken ‘resolutely and swiftly’ against those who had tarnished the image of the party.

NONE “This resolution is to improve the party’s image and strength,” Chin ( left ) told a media conference.

“We in the CWC, which is the implementing arm of the CC, will do whatever we can until the next CC meeting.

“If we don’t do it, we will be criticised again as to why no action had been taken the personality. You will know him later."

Although he did not name the personality, it was obvious Chin was referring to Wong based on previous complaints against Wong.

Chin said that fresh complaints have been received against certain personalities which the complaints alleged had caused the loss of votes resulting in the defeat of SUPP candidates in the May 5 general election.

“We will pass the complaints to the disciplinary committee, which in turn will carry out an investigation into the complaints.

“When the investigations have been completed, the committee will submit its reports and recommendations to the CWC. The recommendations could include suspension and expulsion."

Chin admitted that the internal rifts had caused the loss of votes which had contributed to the party’s defeat in certain constituencies.

SUPP won only the Serian seat, a Bidayuh-majority constituency, and lost six Chinese -majority seats comprising Miri, Sarikei, Lanang, Sibu, Stampin and Bandar Kuching.

A Chinese-based party, SUPP is represented by one Bidayuh MP, Richard Riot, who has been appointed federal human resources minister.

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