Mawan’s weakness exploited

Joseph Tawie February 1, 2012

Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party is desperately fighting off attempts by its former "SPDP 5" gang to set up BN clubs in Tasik Biru and Mas Gading constituencies.

KUCHING: The infamous ‘SPDP 5′ who were sacked from Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) are claiming that the party is no longer relevant especially in the Mas Gading and Tasik Biru constituencies.

The five – Mas Gading MP Tiki Lafe and assemblymen Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru), Sylvester Entri (Marudi), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau) – are claiming that the dissolution of the two SPDP branches in Tasik Biru and Mas Gading, has paved the way for them to set up BN supporters clubs in the constituencies.

The battle for the ‘hearts and minds’ of voters in these constituencies has become increasingly fierce as both sides try to justify their existence.

While the five claim they are BN elected representatives, SPDP however is insisting that they are independent representatives and are outside the BN now that the party has sacked them. SPDP is a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition in Sarawak.

The five meanwhile have formed a BN club which is awaiting Registrar of Societies’ (ROS) approval.

Said Nansian: “With the dissolution of the branches, thousands of SPDP members and families will be joining the club.

“We have already signed an agreement of support with 34 community leaders who represent some 1,000 followers.”

Currently SPDP has about 10,000 members in the constituencies.

SPDP still relevant

Responding to Nansian’s statement, SPDP secretary general Nelson Balang Rining assured members that the party is still relevant in Mas Gading parliamentary constituency, denying claims that some 1,000 members have left the party.

“The party is still relevant in the constituency despite the misconception which two independent representatives namely Peter Nansian and Tiki Lafe tried to create in the minds of the people.

“SPDP is still relevant to society. Those who question its relevance are also trying to play down BN’s relevance to society too. BN is a coalition of political parties.

“The growing number of membership applications we receive is proof that SPDP still has its public appeal. Its relevance depends very much on overall support of the people and the recruitment from time to time,” he said.

That the formation of the BN club has received strong condemnation from loyal grassroots leaders of SPDP also tells of growing concerns at its implications.

Observers here believe the formation of a BN club would open the floodgates for dissenting party members from Umno, MCA, MIC or even PBB to form similar clubs every time they are unhappy with their party leadership.

Said SPDP Lambir division chief Stewart Aying: “The formation of such a (BN) club, if approved (by ROS), will set a precedent in the government fold.

“It does not augur well for BN’s future. BN is a coalition of 14 parties and the clubs would only set to make the parties in BN irrelevant one day.

“Even if these clubs later on spring into action and turn BN into a single party, there will be no more power-sharing concept which is practised by the fold now.”

But Entri who is one of the sacked five, defended the formation of club and lashed out at critics, some who had described the club as a ‘bad medicine’ for the Barisan Nasional.

He took a swipe at a UNIMAS lecturer Jeneri Amir whom he described as unprofessional, baseless and wrong description of the BN spirit.

Weak leadership

Jeneri failed to address the real BN spirit of inclusiveness, consensus, good leadership and serving the people, he said.

“They called us BN independents, but we were elected on BN ticket, and not on independent tickets.

“We have always supportive of BN, and they regarded the club as bad medicine,” Entri said.

Last week Jeneri said that the formation of the club was a bad medicine for BN and a portend of disgruntled BN party members making a similar move to disrupt the BN spirit and understanding.

Meanwhile opposition Sarawak DAP blamed SPDP president William Mawan’s weak leadership for the party’s strive.

Said Mordi Bimol, who is the special assistant to Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen:

“He (Mawan) is not effective within the BN.

“As president, Mawan has no autonomy to make decision on who he is going to put as a candidate for SPDP in the (Mas Gading) constituency.

“Lafe is going to defend his seat with or without the blessing of SPDP because his candidacy depends on the BN chairman and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“It shows that in BN there is only one person who makes decisions.”

Mawan no influence in BN

With so much speculations going around, Mordi said it was time Mawan clarified his role as party leader.

“Such an internal matter which cannot be decided by Mawan shows that SPDP has no influence in BN.

“If that is the case, SPDP cannot fight for the people because they cannot even fight for themselves.

“So there is no reason for SPDP to exist. It is better for them to join PBB,” said Bimol, who is one of the potential candidates from DAP to contest in the constituency.