SPDP stands firm in replacing Dr Tiki
KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) will stand firm in not recommending Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe to defend his seat for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next parliamentary polls.
In making this stand yesterday, party president Tan Sri William Mawan said the candidate it had in mind would be even more winnable than Dr Tiki.
“The next or new BN candidate in Mas Gading will be more winnable than the incumbent. In fact there are other more credible people in the area,” he told The Borneo Post through the telephone yesterday.
Mawan who is also BN vice-chairman said Dr Tiki was victorious in past elections simply because Mas Gading is a BN stronghold.
SPDP had more than one potential candidate in mind to replace Dr Tiki but it was not the time to make the final decision yet, said Mawan who is also Social Development Minister.
Mawan also hinted that there would be a BN solidarity dinner in Mas Gading in a few weeks’ time.
Dr Tiki is one of the elected representatives sacked from SPDP for undermining party stability and leadership as well as for committing gross insubordination.
The others are state assemblymen Datuk Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru); Datuk Sylvester Entri (Marudi); Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau).
On a related issue, Mawan said he had no qualms with these elected representatives continuing to serve their respective constituents as long as they confine themselves to only serving them.
But their politicking in the pretext of serving the people will undermine BN solidarity, Mawan pointed out.
“What we (BN) cannot tolerate is their negative politicking because it would not only undermine BN election preparations but also the party reconsolidation process.
“They should confine their activities to serving the people until nomination day. If that is the case, then of course we have no problem with it,” he added.
Mawan and the five elected representatives were at loggerheads for almost two years when the five were party office bearers. The party leadership crisis ended when all five were sacked by the party.
He said: “The party is moving forward without them and they (sacked members) have moved on without the party.”
He also said he hoped people would stop commenting that the party is in crisis because SPDP is now moving forward and is receiving more membership applications from all walks of life.
SPDP will be having its Triennial General Assembly (TGA) on Mar 18 at the Bintulu Civic Centre. Mawan is expected to be returned as president uncontested.
Source: Borneo Post