OVER TO YOU: Organising chairperson Ann Lesley White (right) presenting a gift to Gramong. Also in the photo are (from left) Kuching Contract Bridge Club president Jane Sebastian and patron Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Wong Soon Kai.
KUCHING: The newly-registered Sarawak Workers Party should avoid going against Barisan Nasional in the coming general election if it claims to be BN-friendly, said Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Gramong Juna.
Asked his opinion about SWP yesterday, he said: “They should not contest against BN, if possible. If they proclaim to be BN-friendly, they should support BN.”
SWP, of whom businessman-politician Dato Sng Chee Hua is the prime mover, is said to be interested to contest in all six seats held by BN component Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).
Among the seats is Kanowit parliamentary seat, which comprised Machan and Ngemah state seats.
Gramong, also Machan assemblyman, said he did not think SWP would be a threat to BN. He stated that voters who support BN would eventually vote for BN and not the opponent.
“The voters will know how to vote. BN supporters will support BN, definitely,” he said.
Asked if he knew about SWP moving to promote potential candidate in Kanowit, he said it was the right of SWP as a legally registered organisation to have the choice to put any candidate even in Kanowit.
“I only read it in the newspapers that they would like to field candidates in some seats including Kanowit.. Their people are free to move around,” he said.
A university lecturer Ellison Ludan was said to be SWP’s pick for Kanowit. Ellison, also a part-time Iban recording artiste known for the song ‘Penyayau Enda Luya’, was seen going around Kanowit bazaar together with Sng and other supporters.
Also with them were SWP pro tem deputy president George Lagong, who is Pelagus assemblyman, and former PRS women chief Josephine Mawat.
Many political observers were of the opinion that SWP aims to contest in PRS-held seats due to Sng’s personal grudge against PRS after he and his group were sacked by the party in 2008.
Kanowit is currently held by PRS supreme council member Datuk Aaron Aro Dagang, who won the seat uncontested in the 2008 general election. Gramong, on the other hand, is supreme council member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
Earlier, Gramong officiated at the launching of Kuching Bridge Congress 2012, a trick-taking card game competition, at Sarawak Club here yesterday.
The competition attracted participants from around the world. The team finals will take place today.
According to Gramong, the Tourism Ministry may consider putting next year’s Bridge Congress on the Tourism Calendar if there is request by the organiser Kuching Contract Bridge Club.