KUCHING: Members of the Kuching Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) have been urged to put aside any differences and to concentrate on winning the Padungan seat.

       Members of Kuching SUPP have expressed their disappointment that Datuk Wee Hong Seng was named the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for Padungan, whom they claim did not receive the endorsement of their branch.

       Branch chairman Datuk Lily Yong then announced that it had dissolved its Padungan election machinery in protest.

       Wee, who is also Kuching South Mayor, urged Yong and Kuching SUPP to set aside any differences and focus on winning the Padungan seat instead.

       “I fully understand her (Yong’s) disappointment and frustration.

       “In light of the upcoming state election, I appeal to Datuk Lily Yong, in both my capacity as the candidate for Padungan and a personal friend, that we resolve our differences.

       “I humbly ask for her help, and assistance, to help SUPP and GPS win back the Padungan seat, which has been held by DAP and PKR for many years,” said Wee in a video on Facebook.

       The Padungan seat is a four-cornered fight involving Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Lina Soo of Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party and Raymond Thong of Parti Bumi Kenyalang.

       In 2006, the seat was won by PKR’s Dominique Ng, while in 2011 and 2016, it was won by Wong King Wei under the DAP banner.