Tiang delivers his address during the SUPP 67th Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony in Sibu.
SIBU (June 4): The next Sarawak election will be a crucial moment for voters to determine the state’s future direction, with Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) preparing to defend its existing seats while strengthening its challenge in constituencies it narrowly missed in the last polls.
SUPP vice-president Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee said the party’s election preparations are guided by two key objectives, defending Sarawak’s rights and continuing to serve the people.
“As we face the coming Sarawak election, we must be reminded that our first objective is to defend Sarawak, and our second objective is to serve the people. This election will be a moment for us to decide the future of Sarawak,” he told reporters after the SUPP 67th Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony here on Thursday.
Tiang said SUPP, as one of the major component parties in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), remains committed to safeguarding Sarawak’s interests, including the state’s rights under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the party is preparing both incumbents and potential candidates for constituencies it failed to win in the previous election.
“Hopefully, this election will allow the people to assess SUPP’s commitment in defending Sarawak and fighting for Sarawak’s rights and position,” he said.
While declining to speculate on candidates for specific constituencies, Tiang said the final decision rests with the party leadership and GPS chairman.
“We already have potential candidates working hard on the ground, but the final list will be decided by our party president and GPS chairman, who will determine the best candidates for all seats,” he said.
Tiang noted that GPS is aiming to contest and win all 82 seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
“We want to win all 82 seats in Sarawak so that we can continue to strongly defend Sarawak’s interests and ensure that decisions affecting the state remain in Sarawak’s hands,” he said.
On his own preparations as the incumbent assemblyman for Pelawan, Tiang said his election groundwork began immediately after he was elected in December 2021.
“My preparation work started from the first day I was elected. The next day, I had already set up my team and service centre to take care of Pelawan.
“We have never been complacent. The mandate given by the people is an honour and a responsibility to serve them well. For the past four and a half years, my team and I have worked very hard, and the coming election will be an opportunity for the people to assess our performance,” he said.
