Adenan team of two parties fail to take off, Sim Kui Hian goes back on his words, claim Wong Soon Koh

By Chen Yu Shun, Lin Xiang Rong

Sin Chew Daily, 19 February, 2016

(Sarawak, Kuching 18 February) United People’s Party president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and Sarawak United People’s Party president Datuk Sim Kui Hian have planned to hold a joint press conference in Kuching after meeting up with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan earlier this month. The press conference was to announce the “Adenan team” to contest in Sarawak state election but frizzled out later.

Wong, in the exclusive interview by Media Chines International team and Pocket Times, said he and Sim were in Najib’s private residence and Adenan for a two-hour discussion. The outcome was to contest in Sarawak election by way of “Adenan’s team” without using the party names. Sim agreed to the proposal.

Wong said he told Sim then that both should put their differences aside for a greater unity and strength of Chinese community. They were supposed to have a joint press conference after returning to Kuching to announce the decision to Chinese community.

Sim goes back on his words after returning to Sarawak

“The Chinese community is tired of the grudges between the two parties. I feel that it is also time for a greater unity to gather the political strength of Chinese community. Since we both receive the blessings of Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, both parties should collaborate. He (Sim) said no problem initially but later said he needed time to convince other leaders in the party.”

Wong stressed that Sim claimed he needed time to convince others to change their mindset.

“Despite Sim asked for several days, later things changed. He suddenly announced that he would not give in even one seat. SUPP wanted to contest 19+2 seats and also announced potential candidates of SUPP. We are disappointed by Sim’s act. He has gone back to his words on the gentlemen agreement.”

UPP raises RM33million of education fund

Wong said that up till now, the party has raised RM33 millions of education fund from private sectors to assist students in pursuing their studies.

He thanked the generous donation from private sectors. Some sectors have pledged their support of the education fund although they have yet to make any donation. Nevertheless the party has achieved its target. It would only seek their donations in the next donation campaign.

Wong explained to the team of journalists that Maritime Academy uses the latest technique of training seamen in training students. It is strict and professional with more than 100 students.

Laila Taib College is a college with exemption on tuition fees. Its certificate is recognised by Education Ministry and also other professional sectors with high chance of securing jobs.