Mawan upbeat on SPDP’S federal representation
KUCHING: Having won the Saratok parliamentary seat in last Sunday’s 13th general election, its back to business as usual for Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party ( SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan, who still has his hands full not only with party matters but also with his state ministerial duties.
He was equally discreet and preferred not to speculate on his chances of being appointed to a federal cabinet post despite SPDP having recorded a 100 per cent victory in the four seats of Saratok, Mas Gading, Bintulu and Baram.
“I hope for the best. It’s up to the wisdom of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to decide,” Mawan, who is also Social Development Minister, told Bernama here.
“I am still doing my job (as state senior minister) as such and winning Saratok for the Barisan Nasional ( BN), which could have otherwise been lost, is just part of my role and party responsibilities,” he said, adding that the four SPDP Members of Parliament’s closed door meeting
I hope for the best. It’s up to the wisdom of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to decide. Tan Sri William Mawan, SPDP president
with Najib, who is also national BN chairman in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, was fruitful.
The possibility that Mawan will be given a full ministerial post is, however, expected to create a vacuum in the Sarawak state cabinet in terms of SPDP representation since he is the sole remaining elected representative after four others, including three state assistant ministers, formed the BN club following their sacking from the party while another one, Wong Judat left to join the opposition Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP).
Speculation is also rife that four-term Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is BN Backbenchers Club chairman, would be given a full ministerial post while there were suggestions, during the polls that Anthony Nogeh be appointed deputy minister of youth and sports if he won the Mas Gading seat.
Newcomer Nogeh wrested Mas Gading in a four- cornered tussle from incumbent Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, who had contested as an independent after being sacked from the party for gross insubordination together with the four state assemblymen, better known as the rebel Group Five (G5).
Apart from working hard to win Saratok, Mawan had also hoped that another newcomer Anyi Ngau would be appointed a deputy minister if he won the Baram seat. — Bernama