Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Don’t fear merger, says Mawan

KUCHING: The proposed merger of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) should not alarm any party, said Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom. “Nobody need to fear about the proposed merger of SPDP and PRS as we are in for good purposes and intentions,” the SPDP president told reporters at his office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur in Petra Jaya yesterday.

Mawan : Proposal to merge SPDP and PRS should not alarm any party as it has good intentions

He said SPDP, as a multiracial party, was committed to be always loyal, friendly and a team worker as far as unity in the country and unity in the government was concerned. Mawan said the merger was a serious effort and something that was broad-based and a long-term planning to consolidate not only BN component parties in the state but also the Dayak community.

“We have given a very thorough thought into this merger as a party and that’s why we put a very solid and deep commitment into it long time ago by forming our committee which is headed by our deputy president and a lot of senior members,” he added. He said PRS were also very keen on the merger - except for their problems.

“After they got their problems solved, they revived the idea in full force and the committees met,” Mawan said. According to Mawan, it was very important for both parties to focus on areas that they have common understanding and not areas of disagreement, which could further confuse them and members of their parties.

“I think the vehicle, the venues and a few of the areas where people will unite together are very important. What we have highlighted all this while are the areas where we can work together, where members who are probably not in agreement now will be able to congregate and know one another. So I guess those are good platforms where unity can be achieved,” said Mawan.

“But we can’t presume things because if you presume things by analyzing things here and there then you will confuse and scare the people. If the majority feel that it is good and in the interest of the community and the Dayaks… and also in the interest of BN solidarity especially with the sort of political scenario we have, and that the election is coming, we need to focus on some areas where we have a lot of understanding and agreement,” said Mawan.

Mawan said the party had put a lot of trust and confidence in its committee and he would not intervene in its activities. “We have heard their presentations, progress reports during our supreme council meetings,” said Mawan. “It’s not as the party president that I jump overboard. We do have a few positions of hierarchy in which we will be guided by the findings of various committees,” he added.

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