‘Proposed union with SPDP to hog PRS supreme council meet’

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Pandang Semat

Pandang Semat

KUCHING: The proposed merger with SPDP is likely to headline the agenda of PRS supreme council meeting this Oct 17 in Miri.

According to PRS supreme council member Pandang Semat, the programme would be held in the afternoon before the party’s 11th anniversary celebration dinner – both of which will take place at Meritz Hotel.

“The highly-anticipated proposed merger with SPDP will be among the issues to be discussed then. It is reported that SPDP has shown much interest on the merger, which is hoped would strengthen the BN (Barisan Nasional) in facing the opposition in the next state election, which is due next year,” he told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

The idea for the merger between the two state BN component parties was revived following the resolve reached during the SPDP supreme council meeting on Aug 16, chaired by its president Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, who is PRS president, was quoted as saying on Aug 22 that his party would only come up with an official response on the proposed merger after its own supreme council meeting this month.

For the record, the proposal first came up in 2005, followed by both parties forming respective committees slated for merger talks.

At one stage, the media even reported in 2007 that several names had been agreed for the merged entity. However, the talks on the merger seemed to have died down, possibly due to several quarters blaming a certain ‘personality’ who had acted as the stumbling block that prevented the proposal from proceeding.

Meanwhile Pandang, who also chairs the organising committee of PRS 11th anniversary celebration, said they would be all ready for the event, where Masing is expected to attend and deliver the keynote address.

Adding on, he disclosed that tickets for the dinner gala had been selling like ‘hot cakes’.

“Still, there are some seats available. Those wishing to attend the dinner can contact any of our committee members for reservations, at the soonest time possible.

“There will be a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the event, and also a goodwill toast to be held after the keynote address by the party’s president.

“Entertainment-wise, the guests will be treated to a live band performance, and a host of local artistes, including Rickie Andrewson,” said Pandang, adding that all PRS assemblymen and parliamentarians are expected to attend both the meeting and dinner gala.