George Lagong
Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom
KUCHING: New party in a dither over political alliance but likely to pose direct threat to PRS.
Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) whose registration was approved by the Home Ministry two days ago seems to be undecided on its alliance in the coming general election.
The newly registered party’s protem president Dr Ong Lark Sai initially said SWP would be Barisan Nasional (BN) friendly but admitted that SWP would have to take on BN in the parliamentary constituencies where it would be fielding candidates.
Sounding somewhat flustered when asked on the party’s leaning Dr Ong said, “I am very busy. We will study the seats on case to case basis. We probably target rural areas.”
According to recent news reports the promoters of the party had indicated it would go head to head against BN component Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) in the election.
The clearest indication of a collision course between SWP and PRS was Dr Ong’s admissiont hat i ndep endent Pe l a g us assemblyman George Lagong was the party’s pro-tem deputy president.
George is a cousin of veteran politician Dato Sng Chee Hua and uncle to the state’s Special Youth Advisor Larry Sng.
The elder Sng was one of founders of PRS while his son later became one of the party leaders but things turned sour along the way and they are both no longer with the party.
It is well known in the political circle that there is no love lost between Dato Sng and PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing.
However, Dr Ong brushed aside speculations that Dato Sng and his son, were involved in promoting SWP.
“No, Datuk Sng and Larry are not in the picture. We are catering for the well being of working class citizens. SWP is a ‘no’ race party,” said Dr Ong.
He said the official launching of SWP would be held soon but indicated that it would most likely not be held here.
Apart from disclosing George’s status in the party, Dr Ong declined to comment further on the line up of the party.
Lagong when contacted also confirmed SWP’s registration had been approved by the Home Ministry.
He, however, claimed that he had no knowledge of its lineup.
The BN allocated PRS the six parliamentary seats of Hulu Rajang, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Julau and Selangau.
There are strong indications that George would contest in Hulu Rajang where PRS will most likely field new face Wilson Ugak Kumbong, who is PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing’s private secretary.
When contacted yesterday state BN secretary cum PBB secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the BN took every opponent seriously.
“We will treat every opponent in the same way. Similarly if the new party wish to oppose us, we will fight them,” said Dr Rundi.
State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-chairman See Chee How who is also Batu Lintang assemblyman congratulated George and his followers for the registration of SWP.
See did not think that SWP would pose a serious threat to BN saying, “As a new party which is set up barely a few months before election, it can hardly be a threat to BN.”
The PKR vice-chairman saw SWP more of a ploy to disrupt Pakatan Rakyat’s plans for the election.
“However, its approval on the eve of the General Election is obviously intended by the BN to spoil or shatter Pakatan Rakyat’s chance of winning in certain rural and semi-rural constituencies,” he said.
Masing and PRS secretary-general Datuk Wlfred Rata Nissom could not be reached for their comments.