PETER CHIN SET TO LEAD SUPP

Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui’s move to run for president surprised many

THE 10-minute standing ovation that Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui received as he walked into the meeting room at the Sarawak United Peoples' Party headquarters on Sunday said it all. 

Packed in the room were 306 grassroots leaders from 33 branches -- exactly three quarters of SUPP's 44 branches. It appeared like a done deal for Chin, the energy, green technology and water minister, who announced his intention to contest the SUPP presidency, at its Dec 8-11 elections.

Chin's move surprised many ordinary members as he had never indicated his interest prior to this and had even brushed aside speculation.

Initially, many had touted the presidential contest as a straight fight between deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and treasurer Datuk David Teng, two "old rivals" whose support is based in central Sarawak and among the Foochow Chinese.

Wong, the state minister of local government and community development, looked to have the edge although Teng held a position "more senior and powerful" in SUPP.

Furthermore, Wong is one of the two SUPP Chinese assemblyman who won during the April 16 state election whereas Teng lost.

However, the more seasoned SUPP members are aware of the subtle moves behind the scene to hatch a plan to avert what could be a bitter, fractious fight if the Wong-Teng contest happened, to replace party president Tan Sri Dr George Chan.

Senior party leaders who had persuaded Chin to contest are now trumpeting their success as a move to prevent "Team A, Team B" scenario which they believe could further divide SUPP, which is seeking to stem DAP's electoral gains and win back support in their traditional areas.

Already, SUPP had suffered its worst ever defeat in the state election when it won only six of the 19 seats it contested as compared with 12 seats it held previously.

Chin, currently SUPP organising secretary, said he had consulted Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his hometown "comrade" Dr Chan on his move.

His entry has dealt a big blow to Wong's chances. As it is, many SUPP members have not forgotten his move of backing out from an attempt to unseat Dr Chan in 2006 when he realised that many branch leaders were not supportive of the action.

Chin's chances seem further boosted by the appearance of several party "heavyweights" during his announcement like Teng, SUPP's second most powerful man, outgoing secretary-general Datuk Sim Kheng Hui, vice-president Datuk Lily Yong and publicity and information secretary Datuk Alfred Yap.

However, Wong is in no mood to throw in the towel just yet and has declared he would go ahead and fight whoever is in his way.

The SUPP election system is divided into two tiers. The first tier involves branch leaders, voting for the 131 central committee posts. The number of delegates each branch sends depends on the size of its membership. For every 250 members, a branch is entitled to send a delegate with a maximum of 70 delegates.

It is estimated about 470 delegates would vote for the 131 central committee members.

The second tier is when the elected 131 central committee members re-convene with the 470 delegates to elect the members of the all powerful central working committee, including the president.

Usually, if there is consensus among top leaders and where the nomination and voting process becomes just a formality, the "picked" presidential candidate would propose his line-up for the delegates to endorse.

An interesting question is whether there would be a compromise? Chin had on Sunday indicated that he would have a talk with Wong soon. Many speculate that Wong would withdraw and accept whatever deal is offered to him -- either the deputy president or secretary-general's post.

Whatever the outcome is, a more pertinent question in the minds of party members is who between Chin and Wong can restore SUPP's pride and win back the support it lost in the run up to the next general election.