Don't play victim, SUPP reminds King Sing he replaced its recommended community leaders, headmen after he was elected in Dudong

KUCHING, Feb 3 2026: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has asked Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Tiong King Sing not to play victim over his criticism on the appointments of community leaders in Dudong and Bawang Assan state constituencies.

SUPP: Tiong King Sing’s recent reference in a second statement to the saying, ‘If this place will not keep me, there are other places that will,’ has sparked widespread public discussion, prompting speculation as to whether it reflects PDP’s reassessment of its position within GPS.
 

The party reminded Tiong of what he did to its community leaders and headmen after he was elected as the state legislative member (SLM) for Dudong after the 2021  state election.

SUPP also reminded Tiong that the latest round of Chinese community leader appointments was carried out strictly in accordance with quotas allocated to each component party by the Sarawak Cabinet Committee, and was not a decision that could be arbitrarily manipulated or exceeded by any individual.

“Tiong’s public criticism is no longer directed at an individual component party leader, but reflects a fundamental lack of respect for the collective decisions and institutional framework of the committee,” it said in a statement issued last night.

“Such remarks are tantamount to undermining the very administrative system and governance structure of which he himself is a part,” SUPP said in response to Tiong’s outburts over the appointments of the community leaders and village headmen.

SUPP reminded Tiong that after he was elected as state legislative member (SLM) for Dudong, he systematically replaced community leaders and headmen who had long been recommended by SUPP, diligently serving at the grassroots level and widely recognised by the community.

SUPP alleged that some community leaders recommended by SUPP were subjected to inducements or pressure, being asked to resign from SUPP and join PDP in exchange for retaining their community leader appointments.

“Is this not precisely the kind of conduct that Tiong criticised in his recent statement—using community leader appointments as a political weapon to monopolise grassroots influence?” SUPP asked, adding: “Does this not constitute a clear double standard?”

SUPP noted that since 1987, Dudong constituency has long been recognised as a traditional SUPP seat.

“However, during the last Sarawak state election, just as its originally designated candidate was about to receive final endorsement to contest under the GPS banner, the candidate was suddenly disqualified at the last moment based on unsubstantiated allegations, leaving the party completely caught off guard.

“The seat was ultimately contested by a PDP candidate on behalf of GPS, and Tiong himself was “parachuted” into  Dudong constituency under these circumstances and subsequently elected,” SUPP said.

It questioned whether such a process was consistent with the so-called “GPS spirit” that Tiong has recently invoked to criticise others.

SUPP also said it is necessary for Tiong to clearly account to the public how many days he has actually attended the Sarawak State Assembly sitting since being elected as Dudong assemblyman in 2021.

“How many questions he has raised in the assembly on livelihood issues, local development and infrastructure needs in Dudong; and how many initiatives he has personally advanced through the State Assembly and successfully implemented?” SUPP asked.

SUPP also asked Tiong to explain part of his second statement if PDP intends to stay with the GPS or go to another coalition.

It said Tiong’s recent reference in a second statement to the saying, ‘If this place will not keep me, there are other places that will,’ has sparked widespread public discussion, prompting speculation as to whether it reflects PDP’s reassessment of its position within GPS.