The war of words between two Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) elected representatives ended today with a hand-shake and hug in the presence of their party chief and media representatives.

The two had locked horns over the constant flooding in the state capital of Kuching.

Supp's sole woman elected representative Lily Yong had blamed Kuching City South Council, headed by party colleague Chan Seng Khai, for the problem.

Yong, who is the Padungan state assemblyperson and Kuching SUPP branch chief, questioned the council's priorities and lamented the lack of efforts in battling the floods.

The media in Sarawak had a field day over the issue, especially when Chan, who is Batu Lintang state assemblyperson, retaliated.

He told the media that Yong should not make sweeping statements without knowing the facts.

A t this point, Supp president and Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan (photo) stepped in and had a meeting with the duo yesterday.

At a press conference this morning, he said the issue was just a misunderstanding between the two. Both Yong and Chan, who were present, then shook hands, hugged and smiled for the cameras.

Yong had been unhappy because not a single sen had been allocated for drainage improvement in flood-prone areas within her constituency covered by the council.

Factionalism

Commenting on this, the deputy chief minister said efforts to improve the city's drainage system had to be a co-ordinated, involving the council and other government agencies, with funding coming from both the state and federal governments.

According to him, RM28.5 million had been allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for Kuching City South.

"The immediate priority is to clear blocked drains," he said.

Observers familiar with Supp politics know that behind the handshake, smiles and hug, exist many factions in Kuching.

"Mayor Chan and Sim Kheng Hui (SUPP secretary-general and assistant minister) belong to one group while Yong seems to be operating with her own group of branch leaders.

"The problem with Supp leaders and members in Kuching is that they want to project a semblance of unity when they are not and this could put the party in real danger during the coming state elections," noted one observer.

Yong's outburst against the council was seen as directed more at Chan, who she probably sees as standing in the way of her ambition of becoming an assistant minister.