Teng denies Soon Koh staged walkout

The Borneo Post

by Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith. Posted on April 19, 2011, Tuesday

RESIGNATION ON HOLD: A forlorn Dr Chan seen leaving SUPP headquarters.

KUCHING: SUPP president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and secretary-general Datuk Sim Kheng Hui agreed to serve the remaining term of their respective posts until the party holds its next Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) in December.

Both Dr Chan and Sim submitted their resignation letters at the party’s Central Working Committee(CWC) meeting at SUPP headquarters here yesterday. “In today’s (yesterday) CWC meeting, our party president and secretary-general have tendered resignation for their respective posts. After thorough discussion on the matter, the CWC decided that they should carry on with their office until the next TDC.

“Which means that their terms expire at the end of the year,” said party treasurer Datuk David Teng to a press conference. Speaking for the committee, he disclosed that both Dr Chan and Sim had accepted the committee’s proposal and agreed to stay on till the end of their current term.

Also present at the press conference yesterday were deputy secretary-general II Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, organising secretary Datuk Seri Peter Chin, publicity and information secretary Datuk Alfred Yap, vice-president Lily Yong, Youth chief Sih Hua Tong and other top leaders. In addition, reporters at the press conference also asked why deputy secretary-general Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh left early after the CWC meeting.

Teng explained that Wong had urgent matters to attend.

When asked whether Wong staged a walk-out, all the SUPP leaders in the room answered ‘No’.

“There is no such thing. Please do not speculate.,“Furthermore, Wong already had his discussion with Dr Chan,” Teng clarified to the media.

Meanwhile, Dr Chan when met by the media after the CWC meeting, confirmed his resignation by stating: “I’ve already resigned.“You want further details, go to David Teng’s press conference. We have made some decisions. Now I am going to see the chief minister as we (SUPP) have some suggestions.”

Declining to elaborate further, Dr Chan hurriedly left the building. Sim also left after the meeting. The former deputy chief minister decided to call it a day in active politics after he lost his Piasau stronghold in the just-concluded 10th state election to DAP newcomer Ling Sie Kiong by 1,509 votes.