KUCHING: The United People's Party (UPP) will leave it to the political wisdom of the Prime Minister and Sarawak Chief Minister to resolve issues with Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).
Its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said the Barisan Nasional-friendly party had met with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who are the national and state Barisan chairman respectively, to find a solution which would benefit all parties.
Wong said UPP is prepared to work together with SUPP in the upcoming general election provided both camps can agree to certain arrangements.
"We have talked to the Chief Minister and Prime Minister and will leave it to their political wisdom to work out some formula to see how the two parties can work together. The ultimate decision lies with them," he told reporters at his office at Baitulmakmur building here on Friday.
When asked about the possibility of the party fielding Barisan direct candidates, Wong said it was up to Abang Johari and Najib to decide on the matter.
However, he confirmed that UPP has submitted its list of potential candidates to the top Barisan leadership for consideration but did not disclose the list when questioned.
Wong declined to answer when pressed on the number of seats the party is eyeing, saying the matter should be left to both the Chief Minister and Prime Minister.
UPP was formed following unresolved infighting between SUPP leaders in 2014. The SUPP leadership crisis worsened when Wong, then deputy secretary-general and Sibu branch chairman, left the party to join UPP.
Joining the Bawang Assan assemblyman were three other elected representatives, namely Opar assemblyman Datuk Ranum Mina, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh) and Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili).
The move left SUPP with two state seats of Senadin and Simanggang.
UPP remained a Barisan-friendly party after attempts to join the coalition were rejected by SUPP.
Wong, who is Second Finance Minister and Dr Jerip, the Assistant Minister for Transportation, are currently part of the Sarawak Cabinet.
At SUPP's triennial delegates conference on Dec 23, Najib had tasked Abang Johari to resolve issues between SUPP and UPP.
The Prime Minister said he wanted all pro-Barisan parties in Sarawak to end their disputes to ensure a stronger, united front leading to the general election.
At the conference, SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the party is aiming to deliver all seven of its traditionally allocated parliamentary seats of Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Serian, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri.
In the 2013 general election, SUPP won one out of seven seats in Serian through its deputy president and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem.
In the 2016 state polls, things appeared to have turned for the better for SUPP, when the party won seven out of 13 contested seats and successfully wrestled four constituencies from DAP.
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