Written by: ROBERT KENNETH
New party- Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) has been given quite a high rating by local political observers despite statements made by those who are against the formation of the opposition party and its participation in the 13th General Election.
Many believed that SWP is capable of winning three seats presently held by Party Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) headed by Datuk Seri Dr James Masing Jemut. Even those who are staunch supporters of Barisan Nasional (BN) shared the same confidence.
They believed that SWP can win in Selanggau, Ulu Rejang and Julau because of the 'capable man' behind the party.
This has really worried PRS although their leaders has been saying that SWP do not have many followers.
SWP is now headed by its newly elected president Larry Sng, a 33 years old politician who started his political career with the Party Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) at the age of 22 years old when at that time is father Datuk Sng Chee Hua was the deputy president of the party.
Larry, a former assistant minister and Pelagus assemblyman was sacked from PRS in 2007 for insubordination following a failed leadership bid, while his father had been expelled from the party earlier.
Following this, Larry was partyless until he was elected as the president of the newly formed SWP during the party’s first annual general meeting recently in Sibu.
Political sources said Larry will contest in one of the six PRS seats – likely mostly likely Selanggau as Wong Judat has expressed his interest to contest against incumbent Datuk Joseph Salang in the coming general election.
Larry when asked at a press conference in Sibu recently neither denied nor confirmed that he would be one of the candidates.
“The party will decide when the time come,” he said.
The incumbent for Julau is a PRS vice-president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum while the MP for Selangau is PRS deputy president Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun.
In Hulu Rajang, SWP deputy president George Lagong is expected to battle it out with PRS new candidate, Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
Larry had said after the party’s first annual general meeting that it would contest in the six PRS seats, which are Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau and Hulu Rajang.
On the party’s fate in the election, Larry said it would be decided by the votes but he claimed that so far the response from the people in the six constituencies where the party will contest has been good.
The party’s candidates were ready, he said, but would only announce the final line-up later and at the meantime they are studying sentiments on the ground.
“Our candidates have full commitment and dedication to serve the people. We want them to voice out in Parliament the concerns of the people. We intend to make history in the election,” he said.
PRS secretary-general Datuk Wilfred Nissom slammed SWP intention to field candidates in the six parliamentary seats held by PRS, saying that it would hurt not just PRS but Barisan Nasional as well.
Nissom also condemned SWP’s declaration of being a Barisan-friendly party.
Larry also said SWP aims to clean up “bad politics” in areas represented by PRS.
He alleged that people of these six PRS-held areas had been “victims of bad politics” that resulted in lack of development in these areas.
“We want voters to send SWP candidates to Parliament so that their voices will be better heard in the Government. PRS style of politics has not benefited the people and we are here to change it,” he said.
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