Sng mulls retiring from politics

0

KUCHING: Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) advisor Dato Sng Chee Hua said yesterday that he was contemplating retiring from politics for good. He said he have faith in the party’s young leaders, including his son and party president Larry, to carry on SWP’s struggles.

“I have served my people for over 20 years, and I feel it is time for me to retire and give way to younger people (to lead the party).

“I have faith in our young leaders in SWP. Let them plan and decide what is best for the people’s future,” said the 66-year-old through short-messaging-service (SMS).

Sng said he wanted to retire from politics “100 per cent”, but he did not elaborate. Sng has a chequered political past.

He was in the thick of action when the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) was trying hard to stay alive between 2003 and 2004.

After PBDS was deregistered by the Registrar of Societies, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) came into being and Sng and Larry were involved in its establishment.

However, the Sngs, together with several of their loyalists, were sacked from PRS in 2006 following a leadership crisis.

In the May 5 general election, Sng lost in Selangau. He only managed to secure 4,485 votes against eventual winner Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun (BN)’s 12,040. The third candidate, Joshua Jabeng of PKR, garnered only 3,881.

SWP also did not fare well in five other constituencies namely Lubok Antu, Julau, Sri Aman, Hulu Rajang and Kanowit.

Its Sri Aman and Kanowit candidates, Wilfred Landong and Ellison Ludan, lost their deposits when they polled 476 votes and 417 votes respectively.

In Lubok Antu, Larry garnered 4,187 votes and lost to William Nyallau Badak (BN) who obtained 8,278 votes. The other candidate, Nicholas Bawin Anggat (PKR), secured 2,530 votes.

In Julau, SWP candidate Wong Judat (3,936 votes) lost to Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (9,891 votes). The third candidate Andy Wong Hong Yu polled 2,852 votes.

In Hulu Rajang, their candidate George Lagong, only managed to garner 2,129 votes to Wilson Ugak Kumbong (BN)’s 9,117 and Abun Sui (PKR)’s 3,283.