Thursday 10 October 2013

SPDP ready to face DAP’s challenge in Pakan

SIBU: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) is unfazed by DAP’s announcement that it has set up a pro tem committee in Pakan to pave the way for the establishment of a branch there.

The incumbent for Pakan, the only state seat under SPDP, is the party president Tan Sri William Mawan and DAP had identified it as one of the rural seats it would contest in the next election.

SPDP deputy secretary-general Paul Igai said yesterday the party would have the advantage of its vast experience in rural politics in the tussle for seat against urban based parties like DAP.

DAP’s pro tem committee is headed by Roslie Atol as chairman and Rinda Juliza Alenxander as the secretary.

He said SPDP could also rely on its close cooperation with other Barisan Nasional component parties during the election.

“There is no reason for failure if all components, especially in the rural, work hand-in-hand,” he said.

He also refuted claims that Mawan had not consulted anyone in managing the development in the constituency.

Igai said: “He (Mawan) has good Divisional Action Committee and good working relationship with Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang coupled with their combined MRP and advantage of being a minister to speed up developments.”

State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said his party’s Pakan branch would be set up once the ROS gives its permission.

In early August, Mawan hinted that a new face might be fielded in Pakan in the next state election, saying he was willing to pave way if a candidate with a high degree of commitment came along.

Meanwhile, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he would not be surprised if DAP could make an impact in Pakan, if the area was not serviced properly.

“If the present ‘wakil rakyat’ (elected representative) in BN machinery there (Pakan) looks after the area well, it will remain BN stronghold…but if there is infighting within BN and if the constituency was not serviced properly, I won’t be surprised DAP could make an impact,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development said via a text message yesterday.

“Every seat is important to BN. no seat should be seen as sure win,” said the Assistant Housing Minister.- theborneopost

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