‘Sarawak BN has enough partners’

Former Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng's abrupt departure from a press conference has fuelled more rumours about his link to a new party.

KUCHING: Senior Sarawak Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hassan has claimed ignorance of any move to form a new party.

He said even if there were some moves, the new party would not be invited to join the Barisan Nasional coalition. The Sarawak BN coalition, he said had enough partners.

Currently Sarawak BN comprise Pesaka Bumiputers Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

Awang Tengah, who is a senior vice-president in PBB, said the BN however was not averse to turning away groups that offer the coalition their support.

“I think we have enough component parties in Barisan already.

“But if they (the new party) support us, we will welcome it,” he told reporters when met him at a Hari Raya open house here earlier this week.

Also present at the function were PBB secretary-general Stephen Rundi, PRS Youth leader Mong Dagang, controversial former Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng and other distinguished guests

It is learnt that a number of applications have been submitted to the Registrar of Societies to register new political parties in Sarawak in view of the impending general election.

Among them are PBDS Baru, Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Sarawak Workers Party and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu.

Sng avoids media

Partyless Sng is rumoured to be linked to Sarawak Workers Party whose pro-tem committee is led by his uncle and current Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong.

At the press conference on Wednesday, Sng who was sitting next to Awang Tengah, literally ran off the moment reporters began questioning Awang Tengah about rumours of a new party.

Sng’s abrupt exit led Awang Tengh to quip: “Larry lari.. and his name is also lari..”

His candid comment drew roars of laughter from those present.

A surprised Dagang however said Sng, who was an Youth Advisor in Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s cabinet, should have stayed.

“I was surprised to see him leaving abruptly. He should be gentleman enough to stay for a while,” he said.

Sng’s sudden departure has further fuelled rumours of his involvement in the formation of the new party.

In the past few months Sng has been linked to speculations in relation to Lagong’s party.

There have also been speculations that Sng was involved in the formation of Federation of Seven Clan associations which has caused a hue and cry among the Chinese community here.

Sng is said to have been avoiding reporters for fear of being questioned about his alleged involvement in the formation of a new party and the Chinese associations.

Sng and Ting threat

Following his sacking in 2006 from PRS for insubordination, Sng has been without a party.

Being partyless, he was not nominated to defend his Pelagus seat in the April 2011 state election.

Instead his uncle, Lagong, stood as an independent candidate at the eleventh hour and defeated PRS candidate Stanley Nyitar, much to its president James Masing’s consternation.

But after the election, Taib picked Sng as his youth adviser, a status equivalent to that of assistant minister.

Many, including PRS leaders and members, questioned Taib’s move and his real reason behind giving Sng such a post.

Some said that it was to spite Masing, who was anti-Sng.

Sng had tried to take over the PRS presidency. The leadership crisis had almost led the party to deregistration.

But there are others who believe that if Sng is politically sidelined then there arose the possibility of his rich father Sng Chee Hua and even wealthier father -in-law, Ting Pek Khing combining their resources to undermine BN in the coming general election.

Sng senior, they said, is capable of doing ‘unpleasant things’ to the BN.

Many still remember how he allegedly destroyed the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak and two years later attempted to kill off PRS.

Said an observer: “Keeping Larry within his hold is Taib’s political strategy.”