PDP to retain all incumbents for GE14

KUCHING: Progressive Democratic Party ( PDP) will recommend its incumbents to defend their parliamentary seats in the 14th general election (GE14).

According to a party insider, PDP decided at its supreme council meeting few months ago that Anyi Ngau would be defending Baram, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing would be fielded in Bintulu and Datuk Anthony Nogeh in Mas Gading.

The party insider, however, said the fate of the incumbent for Saratok, Tan Sri William Mawan, would lie in the hands of the state and federal Barisan Nasional (BN) chairmen — Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, respectively.

“As Saratok (seat) traditionally belongs to PDP, the party will get it again.

“The party has identified a few individuals as its potential candidate for Saratok in the event that Mawan is dropped,” he said.

However, he declined to reveal the names of the three potential candidates.

PDP — formerly known as Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party ( SPDP) — won all its four parliamentary seats it contested in the 2013 general election.

Mawan, who then was SPDP president, contested in Saratok and defeat PKR’s Ali Biju with a majority of 2,081.

However, Mawan later quit his party following internal disputes in May 2014 to join newly-formed Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak ( Teras). Last year, he was fielded as a direct BN candidate to defend Pakan in the state election, which he won.

Teras was dissolved on May 11 last year, resulting in Mawan being partyless.