Tuesday March 4, 2008
SUPP and DAP quarrel over mayor’s post
By JACK WONG
KUCHING: A shouting match erupted between the supporters of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and DAP over the appointment of the new City South mayor at the MBKS building foyer here yesterday.
Swift action by the police to separate the two camps from charging at each other prevented any untoward incident at the gathering for which no police permit had been issued.
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Do you dare?: Dr Chan (right) daring Chong (left) to sign the letter of challenge in Kuching yesterday. |
SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam met face-to-face with DAP incumbent for Bandar Kuching Chong Chieng Jen to settle the issue of whether a Chinese would be appointed as the new mayor.
Chong, also Kota Sentosa assemblyman, challenged the SUPP to confirm or deny by yesterday speculation that the new mayor would be a non-Chinese.
In response, Dr Chan said he would quit as SUPP president and Deputy Chief Minister if a Chinese was not picked to fill the vacancy after the elections.
He dared Chong to sign an undertaking that he would also resign as an assemblyman and Bandar Kuching MP (if he is re-elected on Saturday) if the new mayor was a Chinese.
After a handshake, Dr Chan handed the “letter of challenge” to Chong, who refused to sign.
“You takut (afraid) lah,” Dr Chan repeatedly told Chong.
Chong instead handed over a paper, where he had listed 10 reasons why Dr Chan should step down as SUPP president.
Later, Dr Chan told reporters that he had signed the letter of challenge as a “man of honour”.
Chong said he could not accept Dr Chan’s challenge because resigning would mean gambling away the trust of those who had elected him.
Deputy Mayor Mohd Amin Hassan has been acting mayor since the death of Chong Ted Tsiung more than six months ago.
Chong, who is seeking his second term, faces SUPP Youth chief Sim Yaw Yen in a straight fight.
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