Sng lets the cat out of the bag

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Former Julau MP tells gathering Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) gunning for PRS seats

Datuk Sng Chee Hua

SIBU: Is former Julau MP Datuk Sng Chee Hua the man behind the ‘new’ political entity Sarawak Workers Party (SWP)?

Well, if what had transpired at a function in Rumah Abu, KM55 Sibu-Bintulu Road on Saturday is anything to go by, then Sng is the one.

A source told The Borneo Post yesterday that Sng openly announced at the gathering in Selangau that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) had approved the registration of SWP recently.

He even told the 500-odd people present that SWP would contest in no less than four constituencies belonging to PRS in the coming 13th general election.

Sng said SWP might even challenge PRS in all its six seats, namely Sri Aman whose MP is Masir Kujat, Lubok Antu (William Nyalau Badak), Julau (Datuk Joseph Salang), Kanowit (Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang), Selangau (Datuk Joseph Entulu) and Hulu Rajang (Datuk Billy Abit Joo).

“SWP will field professional candidates in some of the seats,” said the source, who requested anonymity when met here yesterday.

He disclosed that among the potential candidates from SWP are Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong for Hulu Rajang and Ellison Ludan, a lecturer with a private university in Miri, for Kanowit.

The source claimed that SWP was fast gaining grounds in the rural areas, and that it had registered about 7,000 members in Song, Tamin and Kakus thus far.

“SWP’s target is to recruit 100,000 members,” said the source, who claimed that among those present at the function in Selangau were ex-PRS Wanita chief Josephine Randan Mawat, ex-Pemanca Jenging, ex-Penghulu Saging, ex-Penghulu Dagang and Sarawak Dayak Iban Association deputy president Munan Laja.

It is understood that SWP is not a new entity. It was formerly known as Sabah People’s Front Party (SPF).

A close aide to the party proponent recently told The Borneo Post that SWP was in fact the result of a “restructuring exercise” by the opposition party.

“It is basically a buy-over. Upon approval by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to change its name to Sarawak Workers Party two days ago (April 3), SPF’s next delegates’ conference will make amendments to the party’s new committee line-up.

“The conference will also see amendments made to the party constitution to fit the laws and regulations here. The new Sarawak Workers Party will also make amendments to its address to be based in the state,” said the aide who had requested anonymity.

He added that the four seats which SWP were eyeing were Hulu Rajang, Kanowit, Julau and Selangau.

“The person behind the party is a businessman and a former elected representative here,” the aide had said.