Exhaust all avenues before taking your pick, G5 told

SIBU: Parking or joining other component BN parties should be considered after all avenues have been exhausted to avoid more problems from arising.

PBB Supreme Council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this yesterday in response to the call by grassroots leaders in Beluru to the G5 to join PBB.

Nabor branch chairman Joshua Dungkong and longhouse chief Colin Sait reportedly told G5 member Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran they picked PBB because it was the biggest party in the state BN and it had won all seats it contested in the May 5 general election.

Earlier, Entri met up with 40 grassroots leaders at Beluru in Marudi.

Abdul Karim said as a PBB member he was very proud that G5 supporters in Beluru had confidence in PBB.

“However, let’s not rush into things. This is a problem in SPDP, which is a component in BN, and our task is to resolve the problem internally within SPDP,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Resorting to joining another component party at this time is premature and could aggravate more problems, he cautioned.

“If matters could not be resolved after all avenues have been attempted and the solidarity and support of BN on the ground is affected, parking or joining other component BN parties can be considered.

“In the meantime, suffice to let SPDP resolve their internal problems amicably,” said Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development.

He reckoned compromise was the best solution, and no one should think they are indispensable.

“The development of the state, racial harmony and unity and welfare of the people should be given top priority when looking for a solution,” Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman.

The G5 comprises five senior SPDP members who were sacked from the party more than a year ago for gross insubordination. The five are assemblymen Entri (Marudi), Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie (Tasik Biru), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) and former Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe.

Recently, Nansian said the G5 were considering joining one of the three state BN component parties as they felt the recent statement by SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom that the party would field seven new faces in the 11th state election meant he no longer had any intention to reconcile with them (G5).

Last month, PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said PRS’s doors were wide open to the G5. The G5 were given a lifeline when Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud assured them there was a place for them in BN so long as they remained loyal to the coalition. - theborneopost