KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) is now strengthening its presence in areas not represented by the party in the State Legislative Assembly or Parliament.
SPDP EXPANSION: Mawan hits the gong to mark the launching of Kelab Respdemop as others including SPDP supreme council member Capt Zainuddin Hamdan Sirat (left) look on.
One of the areas is Mambong parliamentary constituency which is made up of the state seats of Bengoh and Tarat.
Party president Dato Sri William Mawan, when speaking at the SPDP Mambong charity dinner on Saturday, said its growing presence in Mambong should not be viewed as a threat by fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) components.
He allayed such fears by stressing that SPDP, being a multi-racial party, could be a platform for the people of various racial backgrounds to work together and consolidate the BN in the area.
“People may say, ‘what business has SPDP got in Mambong?’ Don’t think like that because we are here for the consolidation of BN. There is no need to be suspicious.
“We will throw our support to the BN candidate here. If you are opposition-inclined, we want to get you to support the BN.
“There is nothing wrong to get as many new SPDP members in Bengoh and Tarat for as long as they belong to the BN,” he said.
Mawan stressed that the BN now needed to be more inclusive by serving the interests of people of all races and not just narrowed down to one racial group alone.
He said this had to be done to counter the threats posed by the opposition which gained strength and formed the government in several states in the peninsula after the 2008 general election.
“We can’t be racist and polarise ourselves. If we stay at one corner and look at things from one political introverted angle, it will not serve the BN.
“If we work to serve the people, BN will have no problem,” he said.
The dinner, held at Kota Padawan community hall, was to raise funds for a new house for a single mother Rosenah Sijak in Kampung Garung and for the education fund of her children.
The launching of Kelab Rekreasi SPDP Mambong or Respdemop was also held concurrently.
Mawan, who is Social Development and Urbanisation Minister, pledged RM15,000 from his ministry to Kelab Respdemop.
According to him, social, recreational and welfare activities such as those organised by Respdemop are the best ways for the government to be nearer to the younger generation.
He also praised SPDP Mambong for bringing new hope to Rosenah, a breast-cancer patient who is now the sole breadwinner for three children following the death of her husband three years ago.
Those present during the dinner were shown a moving multimedia presentation of Rosenah’s old and new house, and the efforts made by SPDP Mambong to help her.
Funds were raised during the dinner for her through sponsored songs and voluntary donations.