Mawan taking wait-and-see approach

KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party ( SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan is taking a wait- and- see approach on the possibility of Barisan Nasional ( BN) fielding a direct candidate in Mas Gading.

Speaking to reporters following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s meeting with state BN leaders, Mawan preferred not to make any assumptions on the matter but rather leave the outcome in the prime minister’s good hands.

“Let’s just wait for the announcement from our prime minister and see what his decision is because only he is capable of deciding what is best for BN,” said the Minister of Social Development when asked to comment on SPDP’s stand should Mas Gading incumbent Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe be renominated.

The BN direct candidate issue cropped up fol lowing Dr Tiki’s sacking from SPDP along with four other elected representatives from the party. Using the BN Supporters Club as their platform, they have been promoting the idea of Dr Tiki defending the seat as a BN direct candidate.

As in the previous election, SPDP will be contesting in four constituencies namely Mas Gading, Saratok, Bintulu and Baram.

Meanwhi le, Part i Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Masing confi rmed to reporters that Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo has not been included in the candidates list submitted to the prime minister.

Instead, the party will field newcomer Wilson Ugak Kumbon g to defend t he constituency in the upcoming election. He said he believed his instinct that there would not be any BN direct candidate fielded in place of the party’s candidate there.