(From left) Gramong, Masing, Alexander and Maurice listen as Nyong Aji (right) recites a poem.
KANOWIT: United People’s Party (UPP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) should consider rejoining their former parties – Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) respectively.
Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing in making the suggestion said this should be the way since both UPP and Teras had expressed a desire to contest in seats under SUPP and SPDP in the coming state election.
He said UPP and Teras were the offshoots of SUPP and SPDP and that the impasse between the parties was complicated for the chief minister to solve.
“To me the solution is simple. If UPP and Teras want to contest in the seats under Barisan Nasional (BN) logo, they must return to SUPP and SPDP.
“It is either to join the parties of which you have come from before or use your own logos and not take a ride on BN’s popularity,” he said before launching the Kanowit Festival here on Monday.
He said if they did not want to join the parties, they could at least have the honour to contest using their own logos, like some former state BN representatives who were not re-nominated to defend their seats in previous state elections.
Assistant Minister of Land Development Datuk Gramong Juna, his wife Datuk Catherine, Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent, his wife Susan Clement, Kanowit District Officer Katis Noel Nyabong and a political secretary to the chief minister Maurice Giri were also present at the function.
Masing said he experienced similar imbroglio in 2006 and 2007 elections.
Citing the case of Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang and Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Dagang, he said they were not Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) members when they contested in Julau and Kanowit seats respectively in the 12th general election.
“I sought the help of the then chief minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and he advised me to take Joseph and Aaron to join PRS.
“I did and both Salang and Aaron agreed because they put the interest of the people first.
“Elected representatives must always remember that they are in the positions not for themselves or for their own benefit but to serve the people to the best of their abilities,” he said.
He later reiterated that PRS would re-nominate Alexander to defend Ngemah seat in the coming election.
He also called on the people to support whoever candidate fielded by BN in Machan in the coming election.
“The coming election is not to elect which party will form the government because it is already clear that BN is the ruling coalition.
“This election is to elect which coalition has the power and resources to develop the state and country. As we all know the coalition is BN,” he said.