With the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) facing the threat of de-registration, there are those mulling the possibility of forming a “SUPP Baru”.

The fate of the oldest party in Sarawak hangs in the balance following the cancellation of the registration of two of its branches which contributed to the alleged “illegal” election of the president and the party leadership.

As a result of the de-registration of the Bekenu and Piasau branches due to the election irregularities in December 2011, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has demanded the leadership to explain why SUPP's registration should not be cancelled.

SUPP secretary-general Dr Sim Kui Hian ( left ) said the party has been given 30 days to reply to the show-cause letter starting from Jan 9, 2014.

"The cancellation is imminent especially after two of its branches, Piasau and Bekenu, have been de-registered effective June 6, 2014.

"The two branches had been found to have committed election irregularities by the ROS and delegates from the two branches had taken part in the triennial general meeting (TGM) which saw Peter Chin being elected as President and 118 members elected to the party's highest decision-making central committee (CC)," said the party leader, who is aligned to Wong Soon Koh's faction.

The other faction is led by Chin, who is also the chairperson of the de-registered Bekenu branch.

Along the lines of Umno Baru

When contacted, several SUPP leaders expected the party to be de-registered and have made ready a plan to register “SUPP Baru” along the lines of how Umno Baru was registered decades ago.

"SUPP had committed serious offences under the Society Act," they alleged.

"Sarawak National Party and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak were de-registered based on flimsy grounds, while SUPP had committed very serious offences," they claimed.

"There is no way it can escape de-registration," they added.

In an immediate reaction, SUPP Sibu branch, headed by Wong Soon Koh ( left ), questioned the legality of Chin's election.

"His presidency and the whole of the party leadership are questionable," said the Sibu branch, and this may result in the cancellation of the party.

Meanwhile, Sim confirmed that he had received two letters cancelling the registration of the two branches.

He said the party would appeal against the ROS' decision.

In a statement issued last night, he assured party members that the party will do whatever necessary to comply with the requirements of the letter and the Societies Act.

"The present leadership of the party will do all that is required to preserve the legal status of the party and I am sure all party members will also want such actions to be taken by the party members.

"Therefore on behalf of the central committee and central working committee, I want to appeal for calm, tolerance, patience and understanding from all members during this difficult period.

"We have faced adversities before and we have overcome them. I am confident that we can face this one with courage and determination to overcome the same," he said.

On the cancellation of the two branches, Sim said the membership of the two branches are still valid.

"From now onwards, all activities related to members of these former SUPP branches will be directly dealt with by party central.

"All efforts are being made by the former chairpersons and the teams of the affected branches concerned to ensure that all necessary actions and procedures are duly complied with in submitting the appeals as required under the Societies Act and the said letters from the ROS," he said.

Following the TGM in December 2011, SUPP was split into two factions with one headed by Chin and the other Wong.

Wong has the support of all five SUPP state assemblypersons - Lee Khim Shin (Senadin), Francis Harden Hollis (Simanggang), Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh, above ) Ranum Mina (Opar) and Johnichal Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili).

SUPP, which was registered more than 54 years ago, has a membership of about 140,000. Currently it has six state assemblypersons and a member of parliament.