The no-show by the chief minister at SUPP’s Chinese New Year open house this year should not be speculated as a reflection of his stand at the party’ new leadership, said president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui. The Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister stated that he had no qualms about Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud giving the open house at SUPP headquarters here on Monday a miss because the party had been advised that Taib would be represented by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.
“We (SUPP) sent an invitation to the chief minister but we were told that he would be represented by Jabu.
“Whatever reason Taib has for not being able to make it this year, only he knows the answer.
“As SUPP president, it is alright that Taib chose not to come. After all, this is an open house for both the VIPs and the people,” Chin told reporters when met at the open house.
When asked whether the glaring absence reflected the chief minister’s opinion on the new SUPP leadership, Chin stated that he could not speculate why Jabu was sent to represent Taib.
Meanwhile, Taib when met at the Chinese New Year open house of Datuk Sim Swee Yong at Everbright Estate, Batu Kawa near here on Monday explained that old age was the reason for him not able to make many open house visits this year.
“I’m getting older now. I can’t assert myself too much.
“Besides, Jabu is doing that for me (visiting SUPP on my behalf),” he told reporters at the open house held at the residence of Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developer’s Association secretary-general and former SUPP candidate for Padungan Sim Kiang Chiok.
Among the attendees at SUPP open house at Jalan Ong Kee Hui were acting Head of State Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar who is also State Legislative Assembly speaker, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Douglas Uggah, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, Parliament Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
SUPP deputy president Datuk Richard Riot, who is Deputy Foreign Minister, was present.
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