Teo Boon Siew
SIBU: Progressive Democratic Party’s (PDP) foray into Dudong is not meant to split the solidarity in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), but rather to help explain the coalition’s political aspirations to the local folk.
This was stated by PDP vice president Councillor Teo Boon Siew during a meet-the-people session last Sunday at Rumah Magdeline in Sengan.
“We are promoting goodwill by bringing the people and the state government together. GPS strives for political stability in Sarawak. When there is stability, people of all races can sit together to share the development,” he said.
Sunday’s gathering at Rumah Magdeline was the fourth held by PDP Central Unit in Dudong, and was attended by 34 longhouse chief as well as members of GPS coalition parties.
Teo, who is also PDP Dudong branch chairman, assured the people that PDP, through its president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, would strive to understand and resolve problems faced by the people.
“For minor problems, we can solve them locally. For those (problems) that need the help of the state government, we shall work with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he said.
Meanwhile, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat, who was present at the gathering, stressed that PDP was a party that focused on serving the people.
He said PDP had made inroads into rural areas and had received overwhelming response from the people.
“From this, it is clear that PDP is working to unite the people under GPS,” he said.
Back in September, PDP announced that it would recommend Teo to be its candidate for the Dudong seat in the next state election, and that it would also seek to field candidates in Bawang Assan and Pelawan.
The announcement did not sit well with fellow GPS component Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), whose Dudong branch assistant secretary Dr Wong Chya Wei responded by insisting the three seats traditionally belonged to SUPP, and would be contested by SUPP in the next state polls.
The three seats used to be SUPP’s stronghold, but are presently held by Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).