SUPP against Malay unity talks

(The Star) MIRI: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has described the proposed Malay unity talks between Umno and PAS as an unhealthy precedent as it is focused on one particular ethnic group only.

The second largest Barisan Nasional component party in Sarawak became the first party in the state to officially state its objection to such talks.

SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the party was very worried that if Malay unity talks got under way, then the Chinese political parties and Chinese organisations would also want to convene their own unity talks and other ethnic groups will also do the same.

He warned that the people would become fragmented then.

“This sort of situation will be dangerous and it may lead to racial segregation and this can easily spark racial tension,” he told more than 5,000 people during a senior citizens’ gathering organised by the Miri Foochow Association here yesterday.

“If Umno and PAS want to convene such talks, then they must invite all political parties to take part.”

“SUPP also wants to take part in these talks. We also want to see unity but not just among people of one ethnic group. We want to see unity among people of all ethnic groups in all states.”

Dr Chan said he agreed with former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent comments that it was not healthy for any party to focus solely on struggling for the people of its own ethnicity or religion.

In Kota Kinabalu, state Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun said the proposed unity talks with PAS should be called off if the party refuses to acknowledge the sincere overtures of Umno.