Larry Sng’s back as president

Posted on May 29, 2012, Tuesday

SIBU: Former state assistant minister Larry Sng ends his short break from politics to helm Sarawak Workers’ Party, declares friendship with BN but to contest against PRS.

Former state assistant minister and two-term Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng was elected Sarawak Workers’ Party president at the party’s inaugural general meeting at Tanahmas Hotel here yesterday.

Incumbent Pelagus state assemblyman George Lagong, who won the seat as an independent candidate, was elected deputy president.

Josephine Randan Mawat and Sarawak Teachers’ Union president William Gani Bina were elected senior vice presidents while Munan Laja, Chua Kim Hui and Tony Muari were returned as vice presidents.

The other 16 supreme council members would be appointed soon.

Speaking at a press conference after the inaugural general meeting, Larry, 33, maintained SWP would be a Barisan Nasional (BN)-friendly multi-racial party but would contest against PRS in its six seats of Lubok Antu, Sri Aman, Hulu Rajang, Kanowit, Julau and Selangau.

“We will be friendly to the rest of the state BN component parties and look forward to working with them. We are not against the policies, but we do feel that there are better candidates who are willing to serve the people and we believe that we have that kind of candidates under SWP,” he pointed out.

On the party’s membership he said, “We have about 10,000 registered members state-wide,” adding that the members were a blend of new and experienced politicians from both urban and rural areas.

According to him, many SWP members used to be PRS members, including himself, George, Josephine, and Munan who were once PRS’ office-bearers.

“So there is no coincidence that in the coming parliamentary election, the seats that we contest are PRS seats. However, we do maintain that we will not contest in seats held by other BN component parties,” he pointed out.

“My responsibility as president is to serve the party, to give my full commitment and dedication to ensure that the people are well represented. That is why we are contesting in the coming election so that we can send them to parliament to be the voice of the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Larry said he would soon announce his resignation as special youth affairs advisor to the state government.