Nanta offers Larry olive branch
KAPIT: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) vice-president Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi has offered an olive branch to Sarawak Workers Party ( SWP) president Larry Sng to return to the Barisan Nasional’s ( BN) fold.
Nanta made the offer when officiating at the Kapit Hawkers Association annual dinner on Thursday.
“Larry Sng Wei Shien isn’t an opposition politician. I believe that he’d prefer to be in the government. So, therefore I’d suggest to him that he helps BN in this upcoming election,” said the Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Kapit MP.
Nanta believed that Sarawak’s political scenario had shown that younger Chinese leaders would be required to provide more current leadership.
“If Larry could show and prove that he could help BN in this election, he might be one of those younger Chinese leaders in the government. It would be good if he could help BN to win those difficult urban seats.
“As a friend, I therefore would like to invite Larry to be in the BN team. I’d like to suggest to Larry to come forward to support the leadership of YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, the Chief Minister of Sarawak whose policies are people- orientated,” he said.
Nanta also called on the people to attend the Sejiwa Senada programme here this weekend to learn more about the development projects throughout the state.
He added that the new waterfront bazaar and multi-storey car park would include a hawker centre on the ground floor.
Nanta also announced a government grant of RM10,000 for the association.
Meanwhile, association chairman Kong Siau Kui said in the early 80s, hawkers were often looked down upon.
“Those were the difficult years — there wasn’t a proper venue to carry out our trade. We conducted business along the roadside with an umbrella overhead to shelter from the rain or sun.
“We’re grateful to the government now we have a proper place to trade at Terasang Market. As Kapit expands, there are more and more hawkers and due to limited space, they are forced to display their goods
Larry Sng Wei Shien isn’t an opposition politician. I believe that he’d prefer to be in the government. So, therefore I’d suggest to him that he helps BN in this upcoming election.
Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, PBB vice-president
along the roadside. I appeal to the elected representatives and government to look into our woes to open up more space to accommodate the increasing number of hawkers,” he said.
Among those present at the dinner were Sng’s mother Datin Susan Sng, his elder sister Lily Sng and his brother-in-law Loh Sie Siong.
Susan presented education incentives to students who excelled in their school and public examinations last year on Sng’s behalf as well as RM5,000 to the association for social activities.