Mawan to deal with SPDP-Teras unification objectively — Aide
KUCHING: Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom says he will deal with the unification of members of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party ( SPDP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), positively and objectively.
According to Edward Jawie, a close aide to the Saratok MP, the unification may look simple but the process could be delicate, taking into account the complex membership of Teras which comprise former SPDP members and new members, particularly those from the opposition who had crossed over to the Barisan Nasional ( BN).
Edward opined that Mawan might need some more time before making any real move on a personal basis.
“Not making decision is a decision,” Edward said.
He pointed out that the unification process was good move for SPDP in particular and the BN in general as this would reflect BN unity and consolidation.
“Since the unification is for the greater good of the BN, he ( Mawan) is probably weighing all angles and aspects and therefore there should be no reason to rush on things,” said Edward.
Mawan, who is also Pakan assemblyman might be looking and examining every aspect or angle as the unification process involves bringing a large group - former SPDP members and new member of Teras - into SPDP.
Edward said he was confident that more than 60 per cent of Teras members, like Mawan, would see the unification process positively and objectively. He pointed out that Teras have 26 branches with a total of 31,000 members.
Mawan is a BN direct member (and without a party) after quitting Teras before the May 7, 2016 state election to enable him to stand as the then BN direct candidate in Pakan. He was also the co-founder and former president of SPDP.
SPDP was set up in 2002 while Teras, in 2013. Mawan left SPDP to join Teras in 2014, following a leadership disagreement in SPDP over the issue of bringing back four former state elected representatives into SPDP.
Edward said even though Mawan was keeping mum on the effective date of the unification process, his body langauges suggested that he liked the idea. This was strongly hinted by Mawan on Sept 21, 2016 during a press conference after the launch of his book “Reflection - A journey of hope, aspiration and perseverance’ when he said politics was an art of the possible.
Meanwhile, Mawan will officiate at a BN Saratok dinner at SK Min Syn hall tonight ( Dec 30) which Edward describes as a clear sign of progress towards unity of people under the BN flagship in Saratok.
“Almost 1,700 diners are expected to turn up judging from 163 tables being booked. Fifty tables were booked for Malay supporters from Kabong, Prepat, Gerigat, Paluh, Empelam and Sessang for instance,” he said.