Wilson Nyabong Ijang
Larry Sng
KUCHING: Speculation is rife that Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) president Larry Sng will stand in Lubok Antu against Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) incumbent William Nyallau Badak during the next parliamentary election.
Constituents in Lubok Antu claimed the former Pelagus assemblyman has been intensely campaigning in the constituency as it is believed that he could win against the PRS vice-president, who has held the seat for two terms.
Besides Lubok Antu, SWP has repeatedly indicated that it will contest in the other five parliamentary seats held by PRS – Selangau, Julau, Kanowit, Sri Aman and Hulu Rajang.
A source claimed SWP Women’s chief Josephine Mawat is eyeing Selangau, where PRS deputy president Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun is Member of Parliament.
She has been seen canvassing for support in the area.
The source said SWP is not taking PRS lightly and would therefore come up with a new party anthem with lyrics on helping youths and graduates to look for jobs and providing members with insurance coverage.
The source added that the party or its associates would also get two helicopters soon for campaigning purposes in rural areas.
Meanwhile, PRS has questioned Sng’s sincerity in wanting to contest in the Iban-majority seat of Lubok Antu.
PRS information chief Wilson Nyabong Ijang said SWP is merely trying to pit its candidates against PRS and not genuinely trying to serve the constituents.
He said voters in Lubok Antu are mature and aware of SWP’s true intentions.
Many Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, have publicly rejected SWP’s
BN-friendly claims, he pointed out.
“Is Larry Sng, being BN-friendly by contesting against a Dayak BN candidate rather than fighting DAP (Democratic Action Party) where a BN component SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party) needs help, then let the Ibans in Lubok Antu respond to his sincerity and attitude,” Nyabong told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
He also claimed that Sng failed to execute his duties as Pelagus assemblyman and assistant minister.
“Tell us what he did during his time as YB there. Now he wants to bring his antics to Lubok Antu?”