SPDP reiterates readiness to accommodate BN elected representatives

KUCHING July 9 - The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) has reiterated that it is willing to accommodate any Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives or ministers and assistant ministers from other state component parties if asked to do so by the BN leadership.

Another condition is, provided that such a move would not destablise the party, the party president, Datuk William Mawan, who is also State Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation, told a news conference after chairing a SPDP Supreme Council meeting Friday.

Mawan was referring to his recent comments on talk that the party had been asked to accommodate State Land Development Minister Datuk Sri Dr James Masing and eight other elected representatives from crisis-ridden Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) for temporary parking.

He said that when BN elected representatives or ministers were in trouble, other component parties should reach out in line with the spirit of the BN.

"Of course if they come in with parangs and shields we will run away," he said, evoking laughter among those present.

SPDP deputy president Datuk Peter Nyarok, who is an Assistant Minister, interjected: "We will close our doors (to such people)."

Mawan said he had said what needed to be said.

"We will cross the bridge when we come to it," he said, explaining that this would depend on whether there was a formal request for such accommodation made on behalf or for the group.

"Why shouldn't we take in (Deputy Foreign Minister) Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum too," he said. Salang is aligned to the group led by PBDS president Datuk Sri Daniel Tajem.

The Masing faction has nine elected representatives - six state assemblymen and three Members of Parliament - and the Tajem group comprises three MPs and two state assemblymen including party secretary-general Stanley Ajang.

Speculation has been rife of the Masing group seeking temporary accommodation in SPDP following talk of an imminent second deregistration facing PBDS.

But several state BN political leaders felt that such a drastic decision would not be made if the party had done something seriously wrong.

"This has yet to be shown, and the party seems to be complying with the constitution in preparing for the party polls in October," a BN state leader, who asked not to be identified, told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Mawan said the SPDP would hold its first general assembly on Aug 14 to be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Last year's inaugural general assembly, after the party was established, was opened by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is head of the state BN.