KUCHING: The claim by SPDP Pakan chairman Bryan Fung that he brought more supporters to the Chief Minister’s March 4 function in Pakan than Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) president Tan Sri William Mawan did, has been described as the ‘mother of all absurdities’.
In rebutting Fung’s claim, Tuai Rumah Sedau Empali said the number of people welcoming Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to Pakan was pre-determined and arranged according to various groups as stated during various meetings held by the event organising committee, chaired by Sarikei Resident.
As Teras Pakan publicity chief, he said he knew better the number of Teras loyalists and supporters invited, and those who actually came to the function.
When contacted yesterday, Sedau said Teras gathered more than 2,000 loyalists for the function, which did not include ordinary Teras supporters and members, who followed Mawan and other community leaders friendly to his party.
He said he knew of the figures because he was one of those arranging for packed food and food coupons for guests, following meetings of the event organising committee under the direction of Mawan, who is also Social Development Minister.
SPDP might have brought more than 500 loyalists and perhaps a few more from elsewhere as they suddenly felt that their pre-allocated number was negligible, he added.
“I think his (Fung) claim was the mother of all absurdities. How can he simply claim that they have more supporters than Teras just for sake of his propaganda?
“The number of guests invited was to honour the chief minister; not for furthering one’s propaganda. The allocation of guests was discussed and minuted in meetings.
“And how could I not know how many were from Teras? Based on the food allocation and management of guests, I should know better.
“After all it (the Pakan function) was Tan Sri Mawan’s initiative in bringing the chief minister to Pakan with the aim of bringing in more development to Pakan in the future. Tan Sri Mawan initiated the event not because he was eyeing to become candidate but it was for the sake of rural development. Whether he (Fung) likes or not, Tan Sri Mawan is the leader in Pakan. It was his programme and there is, in fact, nothing to argue about,” said Sedau.
According to a member of the event organising committee, it is stated by a SPDP representative during their meeting that they could provide 100 members.
Apart from Teras and SPDP, PRS and PBB as well as influential personalities like Mawan, Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang and community leaders also brought in their own supporters and loyalists to the March 4 function in Pakan.