New party in the state?

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KUCHING: Rumours are rife among the political circle here that the registration of a new party has been approved three days ago.

Apparently the party is not a new entity, but merely a change of name and amendment in constitution to Sabah People’s Front Party (SPF).

A close aide to the party proponent told The Borneo Post yesterday that the ‘new’ workers party was a restructuring exercise of the opposition party.

“It is basically a buy-over. Upon approval by the Putrajaya Registrar of Societies (ROS) of SPF changing its name to Sarawak Workers Party two days ago (Tuesday), SPF’s next delegates’ conference will make amendments to the party’s new committee line-up.

“The conference will also see amendments made to party constitution to fit the laws and regulations here. The new Sarawak  Workers    Party  will also make amendments to its address to be based in the state,” said the source who wished anonymity.

He added the person behind the party who is a businessman and former elected representative here, hoped to field at least four candidates in the next general election.

The seats are Kanowit, Julau, Hulu Rajang and Selangau – all of which belongs to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

If the claims of seats contest were true, the Sarawak Workers Party would be an opposition party and this would rule out the possibility of the former Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) ‘Group of 5’ elected representatives being part of it as they have pledged their allegiance to Barisan Nasional.

State ROS director Ken Leben could not confirm the matter when contacted yesterday, although he admitted he heard the news.

Efforts to contact ROS Putrajaya assistant director of Organisation Division to enquire on the SPF name-change to ‘Sarawak Workers Party’ was fruitless at press time.