Sarawak United Peoples' Party

For other similar-named parties, see United People's Party (disambiguation).

Sarawak United Peoples' Party
Malay name	Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak ڤرتي رعيت برساتو سراوق
Chinese name	砂拉越人民联合党 Shālāyuè rénmín liánhé dǎng
Iban name	Gerempong Sa'ati Rayat Sarawak
Abbreviation	SUPP
President	Sim Kui Hian
Secretary-General	Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew
Deputy President	Richard Riot Jaem Lee Kim Shin
Chairman of Central Youth Section	Michael Tiang Ming Tee
Chairwoman of Central Women's Section	Kho Teck Wan
Founder	Ong Kee Hui Stephen Yong Kuet Tze
Founded	1959
Headquarters	7, Jalan Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui, 93300 Kuching, Sarawak
Newspaper	SA 'ATI (United)
Youth wing	SUPP Youth Section
Women's wing	SUPP Women's Section
Political position	Centre
National affiliation	• Malaysian Solidarity Convention (1965) • Alliance (1970–73) • Barisan Nasional (1973–2018) • Gabungan Parti Sarawak (2018–now)
Colours	Yellow, red, black
Anthem	Sa'ati
Dewan Negara:	1 / 70
Dewan Rakyat:	2 / 31 (Sarawak seats)
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly:	13 / 82
Website
www.supp.org.my
Politics of Malaysia Political parties Elections

The Sarawak United Peoples' Party (abbrev: SUPP; Malay : Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak) is a multiracial local political party of Malaysia based in Sarawak. The SUPP president is Dr. Sim Kui Hian. He succeeded the post from his predecessor, Peter Chin Fah Kui in 2014. Established in 1959, SUPP is the first political party in Sarawak. It has its roots in left-leaning ideologies, nationalism and championing for the cause of the working class.^{[ citation needed ]} Formerly it was one of the Sarawak component members of Barisan Nasional from 1970 until June 2018. ^{[note 1]} Together with other Sarawak-based BN component parties, SUPP always has had tension in its relationship with its Peninsula-based partners. ^[1] After the 2018 general election defeat of BN had proven that the model was no longer viable, and following a key meeting between all Sarawak-based BN coalition parties on 12 June 2018, SUPP has decided to leave BN to co-form a new Sarawak-based coalition of Gabungan Parti Sarawak. ^[2]

History

Being the first local political party, Sarawak United Peoples' Party's origins are tied to Sarawak's history of 20th century political awakening. After World War II, the last Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to Britain in 1946, thus making it an official British Crown Colony – to the dismay of many locals. This eventually gave rise to local anti-cession and anti-imperialist movements which further sparked local political awareness. The triggering event was Sarawak's new Constitution of 1959 which fell short of expectations for many who hoped to see significant progress to self-governance. The need for an organised political front to champion Sarawakian interests finally led to the formation of SUPP on 4 June 1959, with Ong Kee Hui as its founding president. ^[3] With a "Sarawak for Sarawakians" ideology – SUPP's movement gained widespread support, including winning big in the local elections of November 1959, alarming the then ruling British colonial government. When the proposal for Federation of Malaysia was first mooted in 1961, SUPP came out strongly to oppose the idea. Ong argued for Sarawak's independence before setting up a greater federation. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

In December 1962, the British colonial government launched a crackdown on all dissenting groups in Sarawak. Many party members were detained, some even deported from Sarawak for alleged communist activities as, at the time, some members had links with Communist-affiliated organisations. ^{[note 2]} Nonetheless, SUPP still did well at the Sarawak elections of June 1963 but it left one-seat-short of a majority to form government, thus it remained as the opposition party. On 22 July 1963, Sarawak gained independent self-governance from Britain. On 16 September, Sarawak together with the Federation of Malaya, Singapore and North Borneo (Sabah) jointly founded the Federation of Malaysia. In June 1965, the government launched “Operation Hammer” to counter prevailing communist threats. ^[6] Party leaders vehemently protested when about 10,000 Sarawakians men, women and children were forced to resettle under curfew – surrounded by barb-wire fencing – including more than a hundred SUPP members. Party leaders initiated daily visits to the resettlement centres to monitor the welfare of the detainees, but later, even this was barred by the government.

In May 1969, due to 13 May riots in Peninsular Malaysia, an Emergency Proclamation was declared across the country, suspending an ongoing elections in Sarawak. When the Sarawak elections resumed in 1970, SUPP emerged as the single party with largest number of votes, but no party has control of majority seats to form a government. Considering that this crisis for a functioning government occurred at a time when, on one hand, a state of turmoil post-13 May was still present, while on the other hand, people were rounded-up and detained without trial – SUPP accepted the invitation to form a coalition government to stabilise the situation. In exchange, the government agreed to SUPP demand that party secretary-general Stephen Yong be appointed to the State Operations Committee (the security directorate) so that the party can influence counter-insurgency operations to look after the welfare of SUPP detainees including Chinese settlers, in the resettlement centres. ^{[7] [8]} In the ensuing years, SUPP generally had wide support at the polls even during the 2008 Malaysian general election where most of its allies suffered. ^[9]

However, it is no stranger to major setbacks at the polls: In the 1996 Sarawak election, its then president, the late Wong Soon Kai was defeated and thereafter decided to retire from politics. ^[10] A similar situation happened in 2011 Sarawak election when the then party president, George Chan Hong Nam was unseated. It also lost at the Sibu by-election of 2010. In the 2013 Malaysian general election, the party won only 1 out of 7 seats contested. Not long after, Wong Soon Koh, who was then the deputy secretary-general, left with his faction and eventually set up a separate splinter-party with a similar-sounding name, called United People's Party (UPP). ^[11]

A positive turnaround was marked in the 2016 Sarawak election when SUPP, with current party president Sim Kui Hian at the helm, went on to win 7 seats out of 15 contested. After establishing new leadership line-up and reforms including amending the party constitution to limit the tenure of the president himself, the party placed renewed focus on the pursuit of more Sarawakian autonomous power and rights within Malaysia based on the unique contexts of the federation's formation, as originally outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Inter-Governmental Committee Report, and the Report of the Cobbold Commission. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) leadership structure

Sim Kui Hian, current President of SUPP

SUPP Central Working Committee President: Datuk Seri Dr. Sim Kui Hian Deputy President: Datuk Seri Richard Riot ak Jaem Datuk Chieng Buong Toon Vice President: Datuk Lily Yong Lee Lee Datuk Lee Kim Shin Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii Secretary-General: Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew Deputy Secretary-General: Sih Hua Tong Datuk Ting Check Sii Vice Secretary-General: Karambir Singh Honey Danny Banjang Teng Ung Woo Bong Lian Huan Treasurer: Datuk Francis Harden Hollis Deputy Treasurer: Robert Lau Hui Yew Publicity and Information Chief: Adam Yii Siew Sang Assistant Publicity and Information Chief: Lo Khere Chiang Electoral Director: Organising Secretary:  Datuk Matthew Chen Thin Kong Deputy Organising Secretary: Johnny Pang Leong Ming SUPP Youth Chief: Michael Tiang Ming Tee Deputy Youth Chief: Vice Youth Chief: SUPP Women Chief: Kho Teck Wan Deputy Women Chief: Vice Women Chief: Members elected by Central Committee: Danny Banjang  Niponi ak Undek Datin Jennifer Chee Moinie  Wong Ching Yong  Dandi ak Timbang  Wilfred Yap Yau Sin Members appointed from Non-Constituency: Michael Tiong Hok Choon Dato Sim Kiang Chiok Members appointed by Party President: Chua Beng Seng SUPP Central Committee Members Lau Kah Lieng Fang Jee Khin  Chai Hong Chin  Lim Ah Ted Tnay Li Ping Wang Yin Chai  Chong Piang Men  Liew Chong Vui  Chai Siaw Fong Chong Bui Ling Tan Ching Teck  Tay Yeong Soon William Thien  Chong Tet Fatt Lau Sie Hing  Ting Huong Hau @ Ting Huong Leong  Chieng Buong Ong  Loi Siok Hung  Kong Keh Sing Siew Chiew Choung  Chau Chong Fat  Yew Phong Tiong Yek Tiew Chiong Yong King Chew Dandi Ak Timbang  Jampong Ak Tekalan  Kua Jack Seng Dato’ Ho Beng Aik  Ho Shing Tian James Ling Thian Ing Wilfred Yap Yau Sin  Lee Tho Fung  Lee Tong Kwang Jong Yean Pin  Liew Sze Lin  Voong Nam Jin  Lim Chung Yien  Lau Sze Tung  Bong Nam Kee Lee Thin Hin  Chai Soon Thin Liaw Ho Peng Michael Tiong Hok Choon Waterkiller Ak James Junit YBhg. Datin Jennifer Chee Moinie  Jimson Jium Ak Sungong  Thian Eyian Chionh Yong Kar Seng  Liew Shaw Fah  Tong Shih Yee Yeo Tiong Ing Chua Beng Seng Niponi Undek Liew Shan Boo Datin Enn Ong Siok Ean  Chan Chiaw Yam  Ong Chee Chiang  Patrick Gordon Song  Goh Tze Hui  Sim Bee Kim  Tan Kai Shim Poh Szu Sim Yam Leong  Chin Fook Kim  Hii Chang Hoon  Huang Huat Choon  Voon Kah Chee Chin Vui Khun Phang Puk Kung Own Chin Kong Wong Zee Yeng  Tan Hieng Kiek  Empaling Ak Lanyau  Egong Ak Undong  Ling Dien Yong Law Khin Seng Chai Kuen Ming  Kueh Chie Tiong  Chong Ah Muk  Goh Khiok Seng  Tang Siong Chung  Yap Siew Jin Bong Ngim Swee Chang Thun Hou  N’Tulus Ak Janggeh  Maclister Richard Riot  Michael Megang Tiong Chong Onn  Tay Siaw Chuan  Andar Suntai  Liew Wei Tchiun Toh Tze Bin @ Toh Tze Hua Sim Kiang Chiok Yong Tet Poh Chong Tak Sze Jimbai Ak Bandir Yiap Fun Lee Chin Shaw Foh

Elected representatives

Dewan Negara (Senate)

Senators

Main article: Members of the Dewan Negara, 15th Malaysian Parliament

• His Majesty's appointee:
  • Robert Lau Hoi Yew

Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)

Members of Parliament of the 15th Malaysian Parliament

Main article: Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 15th Malaysian Parliament

SUPP only has 2 MP in the House of Representatives.

State	No.	Parliament Constituency	Member	Party
Sarawak	P199	Serian	Richard Riot Jaem		SUPP
Sarawak	P208	Sarikei	Huang Tiong Sii		SUPP
Total	Sarawak (2)

Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly)

Malaysian State Assembly Representatives

Main article: List of Malaysian State Assembly Representatives (2022–present)

Sarawak State Legislative Assembly

13 / 82

State	No.	Parliamentary Constituency	No.	State Constituency	Member	Party
Sarawak	P192	Mas Gading	N1	Opar	Bily Sujang		SUPP
	P196	Stampin	N12	Kota Sentosa	Wilfred Yap Yau Sin		SUPP
			N13	Batu Kitang	Lo Khere Chiang		SUPP
			N14	Batu Kawah	Sim Kui Hian		SUPP
	P202	Sri Aman	N32	Simanggang	Francis Harden Hollis		SUPP
	P208	Sarikei	N45	Repok	Huang Tiong Sii		SUPP
			N46	Meradong	Ding Kuong Hiing		SUPP
	P211	Lanang	N51	Bukit Assek	Chieng Jin Ek		SUPP
	P212	Sibu	N54	Pelawan	Michael Tiang Ming Tee		SUPP
	P217	Bintulu	N68	Tanjong Batu	Johny Pang Leong Ming		SUPP
	P219	Miri	N73	Piasau	Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew		SUPP
			N74	Pujut	Adam Yii Siew Sang		SUPP
			N75	Senadin	Lee Kim Shin		SUPP
Total	Sarawak (13)

General election results

Election	Total seats won	Seats contested	Total votes	Share of votes	Outcome of election	Election leader
1964	3 / 159	12	Appointed by Council Negri		3 seats; Opposition	Ong Kee Hui
1969	5 / 144	12	71,293	2.97%	2 seats; Opposition, later Governing coalition (allied with Alliance Party)	Ong Kee Hui
1974	7 / 144	7	64,235		2 seats; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	Ong Kee Hui
1978	6 / 154	7	52,222		1 seat; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	Ong Kee Hui
1982	5 / 154	7	81,993		1 seat; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	Stephen Yong Kuet Tze
1986	4 / 177	7	93,018	1.96%	1 seat; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	Stephen Yong Kuet Tze
1990	4 / 180	7	102,687		; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	Wong Soon Kai
1995	7 / 192	7	116,403		3 seats; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	Wong Soon Kai
1999	7 / 193	7	129,356		; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	George Chan Hong Nam
2004	6 / 219	7	101,869	1.46%	1 seat; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	George Chan Hong Nam
2008	6 / 222	7	119,264	1.50%	; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	George Chan Hong Nam
2013	1 / 222	7	133,603	1.21%	5 seats; Governing coalition (Barisan Nasional)	Peter Chin Fah Kui
2018	1 / 222	7	122,540	1.01%	; Opposition coalition (Barisan Nasional), later Governing coalition (Gabungan Parti Sarawak)	Sim Kui Hian
2022	2 / 222	7	167,063	1.08%	1 seat; Governing coalition (Gabungan Parti Sarawak)	Sim Kui Hian

State election results

State election	State Legislative Assembly
	Sarawak	Total won / Total contested
2/3 majority	2 / 3
1969/1970	12 / 48	12 / 40
1974	12 / 48	12 / 15
1979	11 / 48	11 / 12
1983	11 / 48	11 / 12
1987	11 / 48	11 / 14
1991	16 / 56	16 / 17
1996	13 / 62	13 / 17
2001	16 / 62	16 / 17
2006	11 / 71	11 / 19
2011	6 / 71	6 / 19
2016	7 / 82	7 / 13
2021	13 / 82	13 / 18

See also

• List of political parties in Malaysia

Notes

1. Specifically, Barisan Nasional Sarawak (BN Sarawak) consists of only 4 locally-based parties, in that they exist and operate exclusively in Sarawak. The 3 other local parties are Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and Sarawak People’s Democratic Party (SPDP).
2. Ong Kee Hui and Stephen Yong seemed to be aware, they held that while some members were more radical, they needed a political outlet, and the party could guide them to become a moderate, positive force.

References

1. Matthew Umpang (29 April 2018). "BN Sarawak different from their counterparts in Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia – SUPP". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
2. Sharon Ling; Geryl Ogilvy (12 June 2018). "Sarawak BN parties pull out of coalition to form independent state-based pact". The Star. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
3. Ung-Ho Chin (1996). Chinese Politics in Sarawak: A Study of the Sarawak United People's Party. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-983-56-0007-4.
4. John Drysdale (15 December 2008). Singapore Struggle for Success. Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd. pp. 214–. ISBN   978-981-4677-67-7.
5. Ooi Keat Gin (11 May 2009). Historical Dictionary of Malaysia. Scarecrow Press. pp. 232–. ISBN   978-0-8108-6305-7.
6. van der Kroef, JM (October 1966). "Communism in Sarawak Today". Asian Survey. 6 (10). University of California Press: 569–579. doi:10.2307/2642112. JSTOR   2642112 . Retrieved 19 May 2022.
7. Francis Chan; Phyllis Wong (16 September 2011). "Saga of communist insurgency in Sarawak". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
8. Vernon L. Porritt (2004). The Rise and Fall of Communism in Sarawak, 1940-1990. Monash Asia Institute. pp. 169–175. ISBN   978-1-876924-27-0.
9. "S'wak 'shields' balance". The Borneo Post. 12 April 2008. Archived from the original on 12 April 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
10. Andy Chua (22 March 2017). "Former Sarawak deputy chief minister Wong passes away". The Star. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
11. Richard T.W. (13 May 2017). "UPP and SUPP: A brief history of squabbling Chinese 'brothers'". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
12. Yu Ji (17 September 2014). "Amending SUPP constitution". The Star. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
13. "Re-examine Malaysia Agreement, Dr Sim urges federal govt". The Borneo Post. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
14. "SUPP president can serve for 3 terms only — Dr Sim". The Borneo Post. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018– via PressReader.
15. "沈桂贤多次国会反映 权益侵蚀砂人不快乐续为砂人请命". 马来西亚诗华日报新闻网 (in Chinese). See Hua Daily News. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2018.

Further reading

• Chin, James. (2011). Forced to the Periphery: Recent Chinese Politics in East Malaysia. Singapore: ISEAS.
• Chin, Ung Ho. (1997). Chinese Politics in Sarawak: a Study of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP). New York: Oxford University Press, ISBN   983-56-0039-2.
• Ong, Kee Hui. (1998). Footprints in Sarawak: Memoirs of Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Ong Kee Hui, 1914 to 1963. Kuching: Research and Resource Centre, SUPP. ISBN   983-99257-1-7 (hardcover) ISBN   983-99257-2-5 (paperback).
• Steinmayer, Otto. (2000). Review of Yong K.T.: "A Life Twice Lived: A Memoir" and Ong Kee Hui: "Footprints on Sarawak: Memoirs of Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Ong Kee Hui, 1914 to 1963". Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. LXXII (Pt.1), 126–129.
• Yong, Stephen K.T. (1997). A Life Twice Lived: A Memoir. Kuching: S. Yong. ISBN   983-99457-0-X.

External links

• Official website