SPDP not surprised by Anyi’s U-turn move — Igai

KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) is not surprised by the sudden U-turn made by Baram MP Anyi Ngau who announced on Monday that he has not resigned to join Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).

SPDP deputy secretary-general Datuk Paul Igai said the party had never doubted Anyi’s stand despite the latter being one of the 10 Barisan Nasional ( BN) elected representatives who was present at the May 15 press conference called by Tan Sri William Mawan at the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) building.

I never had any doubt of his stand from day one. He is a BN-SPDP man. Datuk Paul Igai, SPDP deputy secretary-general

The press conference was called following the adjournment of the assembly sitting which saw former SPDP president Mawan and former SUPP assistant secretary-general Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh quitting their respective parties to join Teras.

Following in their footsteps were Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian, Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Datuk Sylvester Entri ( Marudi) and Paulus Palu Gumbang ( Batu Danau) all from SPDP. From the SUPP camp were Datuk Dr Jerip Susil ( Bengoh), Dr Johnical Rayong ( Engkilili) and Ranum Mina (Opar).

A surprise inclusion was Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong who was deputy president of Sarawak Workers Party.

The Baram MP was also part of the group who paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia the following day to pledge their loyalty and support to BN.

“I never had any doubt of his stand from day one. He is a BN- SPDP man,” Igai told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

On Monday, Anyi confirmed that he has not resigned from SPDP to join Teras. Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby in Kuala Lumpur, the political novice stressed that he was firmly with SPDP and Barisan Nasional.

When asked why he was present at the May 15 press conference, he said: “I just happened to be there. You have to excuse me I am very new in politics.”

Following that announcement, SPDP interim president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing had given the Baram MP a three- day period to return to the party. The Bintulu MP, in a statement, reminded Anyi that the latter had signed a statutory commitment to SPDP.

In the last general election in May 2013, Anyi narrowly won the Baram seat in a three- cornered fight by registering a 194-vote majority.

He garnered 9,182 votes while Roland Engan of Parti Keadilan Rakyat managed 8,988 votes. Independent candidate Patrick Sibat secured 363 votes.