KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) are like brothers, said Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Gracing the SUPP Kuching Branch’s 58th anniversary celebration at Pullman Hotel here on Saturday night, Johari added: “My father and SUPP’s founder President, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Ong Kee Hui worked together a long time ago, and they were like brothers fighting for freedom of Sarawak.
“Today, I am the Chief Minister. I must preserve the relationship and even make it stronger. PBB together with SUPP, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) will support each other in any circumstances.”
Johari also said that SUPP and the other Barisan Nasional coalition parties were PBB’s partners in developing the state.
“Political awareness is important for us to move forward. There must be a certain platform for us to develop the state through the agreement with Peninsular Malaysia.
“The revolution was started by our late Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem in claiming and fighting for the rights of Sarawak,
“Therefore, we will still continue the legacy as we will work together to achieve what we are supposed to have,” he stressed.
Johari added that all leaders must keep up with current technology in order to face the challenges of the digital era.
Focusing on upgrading networking facilities
“We are focusing on upgrading our networking facilities, and from that, we will able to make a lot of improvement and development, especially involving e-commerce, advanced technology and others.
“We have our own experts and talents and they can contribute a lot to our state. Bakun Dam now officially belongs to Sarawak and soon, will have our own Petroleum company called Petroleum Sarawak (Petros).
Therefore, we must work togethers to achieve all these,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, SUPP President, Datuk Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian urged youths to join the party.
“I wish our young generation will step forward to become leaders. Position does not matter; it is the matter of how your serve the people,
“To date, we have 111,000 members and 30 per cent of them are Bumiputeras. Even though SUPP is a Chinese party, we fight for Sarawakians and we reach out to people wherever they are,” said Sim, who is also the Minister for Local Government and Housing.
He thanked past SUPP leaders and veterans for making SUPP into what was today.
SUPP Kuching Branch’s 58th anniversary celebration featured dance performances, a choir presentation, a ribbon cutting and a cake cutting ceremony.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, SUPP former President, Datuk George Chan Hong Nam and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Snowdan Lawan.
