Sarawak United Peoples' Party

Being the first local political party, Sarawak United Peoples' Party's origins are tied to Sarawak's history of 20th century political awakening. After World War II, the last Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to Britain in 1946, thus making it an official British Crown Colony – to the dismay of many locals. This eventually gave rise to local anti-cession and anti-imperialist movements which further sparked local political awareness. The triggering event was Sarawak's new Constitution of 1959 which fell short of expectations for many who hoped to see significant progress to self-governance. The need for an organised political front to champion Sarawakian interests finally led to the formation of SUPP on 4 June 1959, with Ong Kee Hui as its founding president.{{cite book|author=Ung-Ho Chin|title=Chinese Politics in Sarawak: A Study of the Sarawak United People's Party|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wqyJAAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-983-56-0007-4}} With a "Sarawak for Sarawakians" ideology – SUPP's movement gained widespread support, including winning big in the local elections of November 1959, alarming the then ruling British colonial government. When the proposal for Federation of Malaysia was first mooted in 1961, SUPP came out strongly to oppose the idea. Ong argued for Sarawak's independence before setting up a greater federation.{{cite book|author=John Drysdale|title=Singapore Struggle for Success|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RxH1BwAAQBAJ&pg=PP214|date=15 December 2008|publisher=Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd|isbn=978-981-4677-67-7|pages=214–}}{{cite book|author=Ooi Keat Gin|title=Historical Dictionary of Malaysia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=assDznc7EN4C&pg=PA232|date=11 May 2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-6305-7|pages=232–}}

In December 1962, the British colonial government launched a crackdown on all dissenting groups in Sarawak. Many party members were detained, some even deported from Sarawak for alleged communist activities as, at the time, some members had links with Communist-affiliated organisations.Ong Kee Hui and Stephen Yong seemed to be [https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tan+Sri+Datuk+Amar+(Dr)+Ong+Kee+Hui.+(Memorials)-a093533236 aware], they held that while some members were more radical, they needed a political outlet, and the party could guide them to become a moderate, positive force. Nonetheless, SUPP still did well at the Sarawak elections of June 1963 but it left one-seat-short of a majority to form government, thus it remained as the opposition party. On 22 July 1963, Sarawak gained independent self-governance from Britain. On 16 September, Sarawak together with the Federation of Malaya, Singapore and North Borneo (Sabah) jointly founded the Federation of Malaysia. In June 1965, the government launched “Operation Hammer” to counter prevailing communist threats.{{cite journal |last1=van der Kroef |first1=JM |title=Communism in Sarawak Today |journal=Asian Survey |date=October 1966 |volume=6 |issue=10 |pages=569–579 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2642112 |access-date=19 May 2022 |publisher=University of California Press|doi=10.2307/2642112 |jstor=2642112 }} Party leaders vehemently protested when about 10,000 Sarawakians men, women and children were forced to resettle under curfew – surrounded by barb-wire fencing – including more than a hundred SUPP members. Party leaders initiated daily visits to the resettlement centres to monitor the welfare of the detainees, but later, even this was barred by the government.

In May 1969, due to 13 May riots in Peninsular Malaysia, an Emergency Proclamation was declared across the country, suspending an ongoing elections in Sarawak. When the Sarawak elections resumed in 1970, SUPP emerged as the single party with largest number of votes, but no party has control of majority seats to form a government. Considering that this crisis for a functioning government occurred at a time when, on one hand, a state of turmoil post-13 May was still present, while on the other hand, people were rounded-up and detained without trial – SUPP accepted the invitation to form a coalition government to stabilise the situation. In exchange, the government agreed to SUPP demand that party secretary-general Stephen Yong be appointed to the State Operations Committee (the security directorate) so that the party can influence counter-insurgency operations to look after the welfare of SUPP detainees including Chinese settlers, in the resettlement centres.{{cite web|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/16/saga-of-communist-insurgency-in-sarawak/|title=Saga of communist insurgency in Sarawak|author1=Francis Chan|author2=Phyllis Wong|publisher=The Borneo Post|date=16 September 2011|access-date=28 June 2018}}{{cite book|author=Vernon L. Porritt|title=The Rise and Fall of Communism in Sarawak, 1940-1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FsgEAQAAIAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Monash Asia Institute|pages=169–175|isbn=978-1-876924-27-0}} In the ensuing years, SUPP generally had wide support at the polls even during the 2008 Malaysian general election where most of its allies suffered.{{cite web|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=32357|title=S'wak 'shields' balance |publisher=The Borneo Post|date=12 April 2008|access-date=28 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412113431/http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=32357|archive-date=12 April 2008|url-status=dead}}

However, it is no stranger to major setbacks at the polls: In the 1996 Sarawak election, its then president, the late Wong Soon Kai was defeated and thereafter decided to retire from politics.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/22/former-sarawak-deputy-chief-minister-wong-passes-away/|title=Former Sarawak deputy chief minister Wong passes away|author=Andy Chua|work=The Star|date=22 March 2017|access-date=28 June 2018}} A similar situation happened in 2011 Sarawak election when the then party president, George Chan Hong Nam was unseated. It also lost at the Sibu by-election of 2010. In the 2013 Malaysian general election, the party won only 1 out of 7 seats contested. Not long after, Wong Soon Koh, who was then the deputy secretary-general, left with his faction and eventually set up a separate splinter-party with a similar-sounding name, called United People's Party (UPP).{{cite web|url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/05/13/upp-and-supp-a-brief-history-of-squabbling-chinese-brothers/|title=UPP and SUPP: A brief history of squabbling Chinese 'brothers'|author=Richard T.W.|publisher=Free Malaysia Today|date=13 May 2017|access-date=28 June 2018}}

A positive turnaround was marked in the 2016 Sarawak election when SUPP, with current party president Sim Kui Hian at the helm, went on to win 7 seats out of 15 contested. After establishing new leadership line-up and reforms including amending the party constitution to limit the tenure of the president himself, the party placed renewed focus on the pursuit of more Sarawakian autonomous power and rights within Malaysia based on the unique contexts of the federation's formation, as originally outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Inter-Governmental Committee Report, and the Report of the Cobbold Commission.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2014/09/17/amending-supp-constitution-party-keen-on-implementing-succession-and-structural-reforms/|title=Amending SUPP constitution|author=Yu Ji|work=The Star|date=17 September 2014|access-date=28 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/13/re-examine-malaysia-agreement-dr-sim-urges-federal-govt/|title=Re-examine Malaysia Agreement, Dr Sim urges federal govt|publisher=The Borneo Post|date=13 December 2015|access-date=28 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post/20160302/281659664125131|title=SUPP president can serve for 3 terms only — Dr Sim|work=The Borneo Post|via=PressReader|date=2 March 2016|access-date=28 June 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://news.seehua.com/?p=121766|title=沈桂贤多次国会反映 权益侵蚀砂人不快乐续为砂人请命|newspaper=马来西亚诗华日报新闻网 |language=zh|publisher=See Hua Daily News|date=13 December 2015|access-date=28 June 2018}}

File:Dr_Sim_Kui_Hian_2017.jpg

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• President:
• Datuk Seri Dr. Sim Kui Hian
• Deputy President:
• Datuk Seri Richard Riot ak Jaem
• Datuk Chieng Buong Toon
• Vice President:
• Datuk Lily Yong Lee Lee
• Datuk Lee Kim Shin
• Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing
• Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii
• Secretary-General:
• Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew
• Deputy Secretary-General:
• Sih Hua Tong
• Datuk Ting Check Sii
• Vice Secretary-General:
• Karambir Singh Honey
• Danny Banjang
• Teng Ung Woo
• Bong Lian Huan
• Treasurer:
• Datuk Francis Harden Hollis
• Deputy Treasurer:
• Robert Lau Hui Yew
• Publicity and Information Chief:
• Adam Yii Siew Sang
• Assistant Publicity and Information Chief:
• Lo Khere Chiang
• Electoral Director:
• Organising Secretary:
•  Datuk Matthew Chen Thin Kong
• Deputy Organising Secretary:
• Johnny Pang Leong Ming
• SUPP Youth Chief:
• Michael Tiang Ming Tee
• Deputy Youth Chief:
• Vice Youth Chief:
• SUPP Women Chief:
• Kho Teck Wan
• Deputy Women Chief:
• Vice Women Chief:
• Members elected by Central Committee:
• Danny Banjang 
• Niponi ak Undek
• Datin Jennifer Chee Moinie 
• Wong Ching Yong 
• Dandi ak Timbang 
• Wilfred Yap Yau Sin
• Members appointed from Non-Constituency:
• Michael Tiong Hok Choon
• Dato Sim Kiang Chiok
• Members appointed by Party President:
• Chua Beng Seng

• Lau Kah Lieng
• Fang Jee Khin 
• Chai Hong Chin 
• Lim Ah Ted
• Tnay Li Ping
• Wang Yin Chai 
• Chong Piang Men 
• Liew Chong Vui 
• Chai Siaw Fong
• Chong Bui Ling
• Tan Ching Teck 
• Tay Yeong Soon
• William Thien 
• Chong Tet Fatt
• Lau Sie Hing 
• Ting Huong Hau @ Ting Huong Leong 
• Chieng Buong Ong 
• Loi Siok Hung 
• Kong Keh Sing
• Siew Chiew Choung 
• Chau Chong Fat 
• Yew Phong Tiong
• Yek Tiew Chiong
• Yong King Chew
• Dandi Ak Timbang 
• Jampong Ak Tekalan 
• Kua Jack Seng
• Dato’ Ho Beng Aik 
• Ho Shing Tian
• James Ling Thian Ing
• Wilfred Yap Yau Sin 
• Lee Tho Fung 
• Lee Tong Kwang
• Jong Yean Pin 
• Liew Sze Lin 
• Voong Nam Jin 
• Lim Chung Yien 
• Lau Sze Tung 
• Bong Nam Kee
• Lee Thin Hin 
• Chai Soon Thin
• Liaw Ho Peng
• Michael Tiong Hok Choon
• Waterkiller Ak James Junit
• YBhg. Datin Jennifer Chee Moinie 
• Jimson Jium Ak Sungong 
• Thian Eyian Chionh
• Yong Kar Seng 
• Liew Shaw Fah 
• Tong Shih Yee
• Yeo Tiong Ing
• Chua Beng Seng
• Niponi Undek
• Liew Shan Boo
• Datin Enn Ong Siok Ean 
• Chan Chiaw Yam 
• Ong Chee Chiang 
• Patrick Gordon Song 
• Goh Tze Hui 
• Sim Bee Kim 
• Tan Kai
• Shim Poh Szu
• Sim Yam Leong 
• Chin Fook Kim 
• Hii Chang Hoon 
• Huang Huat Choon 
• Voon Kah Chee
• Chin Vui Khun
• Phang Puk Kung
• Own Chin Kong
• Wong Zee Yeng 
• Tan Hieng Kiek 
• Empaling Ak Lanyau 
• Egong Ak Undong 
• Ling Dien Yong
• Law Khin Seng
• Chai Kuen Ming 
• Kueh Chie Tiong 
• Chong Ah Muk 
• Goh Khiok Seng 
• Tang Siong Chung 
• Yap Siew Jin
• Bong Ngim Swee
• Chang Thun Hou 
• N’Tulus Ak Janggeh 
• Maclister Richard Riot 
• Michael Megang
• Tiong Chong Onn 
• Tay Siaw Chuan 
• Andar Suntai 
• Liew Wei Tchiun
• Toh Tze Bin @ Toh Tze Hua
• Sim Kiang Chiok
• Yong Tet Poh
• Chong Tak Sze
• Jimbai Ak Bandir
• Yiap Fun Lee
• Chin Shaw Foh

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{{main|Members of the Dewan Negara, 15th Malaysian Parliament}}

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• His Majesty's appointee:
• Robert Lau Hoi Yew

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{{main|Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 15th Malaysian Parliament}}

SUPP only has 2 MP in the House of Representatives.

{{main|List of Malaysian State Assembly Representatives (2022–present)}}

Sarawak State Legislative Assembly{{Composition bar|13|82|hex={{party color|Sarawak United Peoples' Party}}}}

• List of political parties in Malaysia

{{Reflist|group="note"}}

{{Reflist}}

• Chin, Ung Ho. (1997). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385887578_Chinese_Politics_in_Sarawak_A_Study_of_the_Sarawak_United_People's_Party Chinese Politics in Sarawak:] a Study of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP). New York: Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|983-56-0039-2}}.
• Ong, Kee Hui. (1998). Footprints in Sarawak: Memoirs of Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Ong Kee Hui, 1914 to 1963. Kuching: Research and Resource Centre, SUPP. {{ISBN|983-99257-1-7}} (hardcover) {{ISBN|983-99257-2-5}} (paperback).
• Steinmayer, Otto. (2000). Review of Yong K.T.: "A Life Twice Lived: A Memoir" and Ong Kee Hui: "Footprints on Sarawak: Memoirs of Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Ong Kee Hui, 1914 to 1963". Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. LXXII (Pt.1), 126–129.
• Yong, Stephen K.T. (1997). A Life Twice Lived: A Memoir. Kuching: S. Yong. {{ISBN|983-99457-0-X}}.

• {{Official website|http://www.supp.org.my/}}

{{Malaysian political parties}}

{{Communism in Malaysia}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Political parties in Sarawak

Category:1959 establishments in Malaya

Category:Political parties established in 1959