SUPP's 'life and death' meeting with PM on Taib

KUCHING: Leaders and elected representatives of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) are in Kuala Lumpur to attend, what political observers described as a ‘life and death” meeting with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

According to sources, the leaders who arrived in the capital yesterday are expected to meet with the prime minister tomorrow and inform him of SUPP’s problems allegedly caused by Chief Minster Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“They want the PM to pressure Taib to give the Chinese community equal opportunities in business such as contract works and tenders, development projects as well as to provide funds for Chinese education and land for the landless, and so on.

“All the election promises made before and during the 2006 state elections have not been fulfilled, resulting in the Chinese having lost confidence in the party,” said the sources.

The Chinese alleged that they have been ignored by the chief minister who they claimed is giving businesses to his family members and companies belonging to his cronies.

“Tomorrow’s meeting with the prime minister is to tell him that if Barisan Nasional wants SUPP to do well in the coming election, then Najib must pressure Taib to give the party and the Chinese community not only respect but also equal opportunity in business,” said the sources.

During the Sibu by-election in May this year, the Chinese resentment against Taib was obvious so much so that the CM was advised not to campaign in Chinese areas.

However, SUPP lost the seat to DAP, and blamed Taib’s alleged negligence of Chinese interests for it.

In the 2006 state election, SUPP lost eight of 19 seats it contested.

“For the coming election, SUPP will be in hot soup if nothing is done to help the Chinese community,” stressed the sources.- Joseph Tawie