Wong slams ‘immature’ GPS colleague Sim in seat dispute

PETALING JAYA: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice-president Wong Soon Koh has slammed Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Dr Sim Kui Hian for announcing a candidate for the Bawang Assan seat currently held by Wong.

Wong, a former SUPP leader, said Sim’s announcement was unnecessary and disruptive as the final decision on seat allocations in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) rests solely with its chairman, Abang Johari Openg.

The seven-term Bawang Assan assemblyman accused Sim of overstepping his authority and displaying a lack of respect for the leadership mechanism established in GPS.

“As a key member of the GPS leadership and a deputy premier, Sim should understand better than anyone the spirit of consultation and consensus that has always guided GPS.

“He should set an example by fostering unity among component parties, rather than making unilateral public statements on matters that have yet to be decided.

“Such immature actions only create unnecessary speculation, confusion, and anxiety among grassroots members and the public,” he said in a statement.

Wong, a former state finance minister II, said each GPS component must prioritise coalition unity at this time while focusing on advancing Sarawak’s development and improving the people’s well-being.

He urged Sim to refrain from making unilateral political statements that would undermine unity in the ruling state coalition.

“Instead, he should return to the principle of collective leadership within GPS and avoid allowing personal political considerations to jeopardise the coalition’s stability.

“My team and I will continue to remain firmly rooted in Bawang Assan, listening to the voices of the people and serving the constituency with unwavering dedication, just as we always have.”

Yesterday, Sim announced that SUPP would nominate a divisional leader as the party’s candidate for the Bawang Assan seat at the next Sarawak state election.

The GPS vice-chairman previously called for a fresh frace to represent Bawang Assan, in a swipe at Wong, his former party colleague.

Wong, formerly of SUPP, has been the Bawang Assan assemblyman since 1991, representing the constituency under various banners.

He was sacked from SUPP in 2014 and went on to lead Parti Sarawak Bersatu, which joined PDP en bloc in 2024.