The United People's Party (UPP) has decided to cease any further memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and will rebrand itself with a new name and logo in six months' time to chart a new future.

Speaking at a press conference after the party’s second Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) in Sibu today, secretary-general George Lo said a task force will be set up to conduct the rebranding exercise to select a new name and logo.

"The presidential council task force will consist of five assemblymen - Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan) who is also second finance minister,Dr Jerip Susil (Mambong) who is assistant minister for public health, Tiong Thai King (Dudong), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Johnical Rayong Nyipa (Engkilili) and myself," he said.

A special delegate’s conference will be called in six months' time to make the amendment to its constitution.

“We are a multi-racial party out of five assemblymen -- two are Chinese and three are Bumiputeras. So our rebranding exercise will emphasise that multi-racial nature and move away from the concept that we are a Chinese-based party," Lo added.

As of now, he said the party would remain independent as it has yet to receive an official invitation from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) led by Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg to join them.

UPP will pledge their support to the state government and cooperate with the Federal Government on all matters that affect Sarawak.

Prior to the May 9 general election, SUPP and UPP established a memorandum of understanding initiated by Abang Johari to enable both the parties to explore the means to unite as one entity in order to represent the interest of the Chinese and other communities within the spirit and teamwork of BN.

- Bernama