SWP chief insists on Bukit Goram, despite offer on other seats
KUCHING: Sarawak Workers Party ( SWP) president Larry Sng will not contest in any other constituency but Bukit Goram, in that it is in his hometown Kapit.
He was responding to Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi’s recent offer for him ( Sng) to return to Barisan Nasional ( BN) by contesting in Chinese-majority areas in the upcoming state election.
Nanta stated during Kapit Hawkers Association’s annual dinner on Thursday, that he believed Sng would still prefer to be in the government, and then asked Sng to help BN win in the upcoming polls.
Nanta, who is also PBB vicepresident, said the state’s political scenario had shown that younger Chinese leaders would be required to add more to the current leadership; with Sng having high potential to become one of those leaders in the government who could help BN win the ‘difficult’ urban areas.
However, Sng turned down the offer that suggested he should contest in urban constituencies such as Meradong or Miri in the state election.
“I am sorry Datuk ( Nanta) but I’m from Kapit. This is my hometown and I wish to continue my service ( for this area), just like my father and grandfather did (in 1999-2001 and 1963-1968, respectively).
“There are my people — I love them and my family have been serving in the area since ‘ Merdeka’ (independence). I believe that the people should have the right to choose the best candidate to serve them for the next five years.”
Sng, who served as Pelagus assemblyman between 2001 and 2011, also said if he were to be chosen, he would serve the people as best he could by listening to their problems and find solutions for them, just like he did before.
“I will not ‘ pilih kasih’ ( be biased) and only be friends with people who have ‘ pangkat’ (titles) like Temenggong, Pemanca or Penghulu. I will serve everyone fairly.
“Don’t worry about projects — I will use my own funds and be fair to all people, regardless of race or religion. The Ibans, Malays and Chinese are all family to me. I leave my fate for them to decide,” said Sng.