SIBU: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration here is akin to a family reunion, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The SUPP president said the celebration, which coincides with SUPP’s 65th anniversary dinner, holds special meaning for every party member as it was founded in Sibu back in 1959.
“This is a very special CNY gathering. The most important thing in CNY is family gathering. So, for us, we are actually back in Sibu for our family reunion, and Sibu is where the party started in 1959. So, we are glad for the CNY reunion,” he said.
He said in his speech at the event here last night (Feb 17), which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and attended by 1,600 delegates.
He noted that SUPP has been working closely together with PBB before they were joined by PRS and PDP, and together they were an extended family under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which enabled them to win handsomely in the last state election by obtaining 76 out of 82 seats.
Meanwhile, Deputy Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee said that the success of the gathering was due to all the hard work done by all SUPP branches in Sibu, namely Pelawan, Bukit Assek, Bawang Assan, Nangka, and Dudong.
“I was entrusted to be the organising chairman for tonight’s celebration, but I cannot do this myself. It is because of your unity and commitment that we are able to make tonight’s celebration a big success,” he said.
Tiang, who is the organising chairman, noted that the celebration was the first to be held outside Kuching, and he thanked Dr Sim for giving a chance for SUPP Sibu branches to host such a meaningful gathering.
