BATTLE READY: Mawan (centre) striking a pose as he gets ready for a group photograph with young muay thai enthusiasts at the launching of the BL1M programme in Bau. At his right is recommended candidate for Mas Gading, Anthony Nogeh.
BAU: SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan said he would not elbow his way through to stand in Saratok in the impending general election, stressing that its MP Jelaing Mersat was still in the running to defend the seat.
Also in the list of potential candidates for Saratok is a new face whom Mawan only identified as a businessman in his 40s.
While he did not discount the possibility of contesting if called to do so by BN top leadership, he said the main priority at this point of time was to make sure that Jelaing and the businessman are able to work together with the other BN components in Saratok.
“Both Jelaing Mersat and the other person are locals in Saratok. I submitted two names so that the prime minister can decide which one to field. My only problem is how to make them really work together. I hope in this one month, they can forge teamwork to ensure victory for BN,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Earlier, Mawan, who is also Social Development Minister, launched the 1Malaysia Licence Aid (BL1M) for Mas Gading constituency at Tasik Biru Square here.
Mawan added that he was not a stranger to Saratok since he was born there and his extended family is still in Saratok.
Though this would give him an advantage, he said he was not gunning for Saratok in the impending polls.
Jokingly asking the reporters if he looked like a potential candidate, he said he would be the last person from the party to be asked to stand in that constituency.
He, nonetheless, hoped the rumours, which started off as coffeeshop talk, of him contesting in Saratok would spark the members and leaders of BN components there into life in order for the election machinery to be well-oiled in facing any eventuality.
“I hope this conveys the message to all BN components that the time is up and there is not much time left. We have to start working together in Saratok because in the last one year so the machinery was quite in disarray and not well-coordinated to our advantage.
“We have to try all sort of different angles … looking at the same problem to resolve it,” he said.
Mawan also mentioned that as party president it was his responsibility to ensure SPDP would not lose any of its four parliamentary seats in the polls which is expected to be called very soon.
“I have them all already – becoming an elected representative, having ministerial positions and bestowed with medals and titles. But my commitment and conviction within BN is still very strong.
“We cannot afford to lose a seat. The BN cannot even lose half a seat. When things do not move as fast as I want it to be (as far as election preparations are concerned), I will be frustrated.”
Jelaing is gunning for his third term as Saratok MP since winning in his debut in 2004. There have been talks that he could be dropped in the coming polls.
The victory by PKR candidate Ali Biju in Krian, one of the state seats in Saratok, during the 2011 state election, has casted doubts over BN’s chances to retain Saratok.
Ali, a vice chairman in the state PKR, has indicated his readiness to contest in Saratok.