Secretive Lagong keeps them guessing

Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong is a much sought-after man now - by the media, opposition and Barisan Nasional.

KUCHING: The sole independent assemblyman in the 10th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, George Lagong, is bent on keeping secrets.

Since his win in Pelagus in the April 16 state election, he has been as slippery as an eel, dodging questions on, among others, his loyalty to Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and whether or not he will defect.

Thus far, he has been silent, leaving the press to freely speculate on his possible moves.

Speculations are rife that he is being wooed by both PKR and BN partner Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

Rumours are that PRS president James Masing is “deeply interested” in enlisting him and to further consolidate his standing as having “delivered” 100% seats during the polls.

PRS won eight out of the nine seats it contested, making it currently second to Chief Minister Taib Mahmud-led Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). Pelagus was the only seat PRS lost in the April 16 polls.

Former PRS assemblyman Larry Sng had held the seat since 2001. But a leadership dispute with Masing led to Sng being sacked for insubordination in 2009.

Masing made it impossible for Sng to join any other parties within the BN coalition. Sng’s bid to stand as an independent BN candidate in Pelagus was also thwarted by Masing.

Many have blamed the Pelagus loss to Masing’s stubborness.

Getting Lagong, 51, to join PRS would be redemption for Masing, who sees himself as a “true Dayak leader” and chief minister material.

SNAP, however, has staked a claim on Lagong, who beat Masing’s man Stanley Nyitar by 2,837 votes, claiming he was already a member when he contested.

‘Wait for my speech’

Yesterday, Lagong was among 71 assemblymen who were sworn in to sit at the 10th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.

The assembly now has 55 Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives and 15 opposition members. Lagong, who is making his debut, is the sole independent.

The father of five came prepared and again managed to fend off questions by reporters, preferring to let everyone wait for his upcoming speech at the assembly sitting.

“Please wait for my speech. I cannot answer you for the time being. You will know when the time comes. For the time being, I stand where I am.

“You will know about the direction that I am going to take within these next few days. For now, I remain an independent,” he said.

Lagong said that he had many friends on both sides of the political fence and would work closely with them.

“On politics we may have different ideologies but on a personal basis, we assemblymen are close.

“Everybody can be friends. However, my true political ideology is that I stand for my people.

“That is what I am elected for – to speak and fight for them,” he said.