Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi
SIBU: The application by Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) to join Barisan Nasional (BN) will be studied thoroughly in the interest of BN spirit, says state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.
“Every implication in BN Spirit has to be closely looked at, and the BN committee will later decide on the matter.
“As of now, we have not received any formal application from SWP. We will decide once we have received the application.
“One thing for sure, we will study every aspect of its implications in the spirit of BN before the committee decides on the matter,” Dr Rundi, who is also Minister of Public Utilities, said yesterday.
He was asked to comment on SWP president Munan Laja’s statement that the party would soon apply to join BN as it had passed the resolution at its third annual general meeting here on Thursday.
Munan had said joining BN was the way forward for the party as they felt it was not enough to be just BN-friendly.
He said that a small party like SWP had to join a bigger group in order to be effective because without it, it would be difficult to talk and resolve issues.
In a similar development, United People’s Party (UPP) secretary-general George Lo when contacted said they too were in the process of applying to join the BN.
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, meanwhile, said the fact that SWP wanted to join BN spoke volumes of the acceptance of BN by Sarawakians.
“Actually, it is not just SWP. Other political parties like UPP and Teras before this, all wished to be associated with BN. This shows the confidence Sarawakians have towards BN.
“SWP applying to join BN does not guarantee the party any seats to contest in elections. Seats are more or less already being ‘reserved’ for the existing BN component parties. But then again, in politics, nothing is static,” he said.
SPDP senior vice-president Datuk Paul Igai said there was nothing to stop SWP from applying to join BN.
BN had the mechanism in place to deal with such matter, he added.
“We did have a state opposition party applying and successfully joining BN a few years back. It depends on the merit of each case.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who is state BN chairman, is very wise in such matters and we shouldn’t worry too much on that,” he added.
PRS deputy president Datuk Joseph Entulu, meanwhile, said, “Good luck. If SWP is worth admitting to BN, then any party applicant is worth admitting.”
In the last parliamentary election SWP while declaring themselves as ‘BN-friendly’, contested in all PRS’ six seats, namely Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Julau, Kanowit, Hulu Rajang and Selangau but lost in all.