SPDP delegates express their displeasures at Taib Mahmud at the AGM

Bintulu, March 17, 2012: Delegates attending the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) 9th annual general meeting today expressed their displeasures at Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in dealing with  the Gang of Five..

They said while Taib continued to retain Datuk Peter Nansian and Datuk Sylvester Entrie in his administration, he also appointed Rosey Yunus as an assistant minister and Paulus Gumbang as chairman of the Miri Port Authority.

One delegate, in an interview outside the Bintulu Civic Centre, believed that the long serving chief minister is arrogant and dictatorial.

"He cares only about himself and PBB, but gives little or no respect to other component parties of the Barisan Nasional, like SPDP and SUPP," said the delegate who requested that his name be not published for fear of reprisals from PBB and Taib against SPDP and  party president Tan Sri William Mawan.

The attack on Taib started with a delegate from Meluan branch, who said that Taib should have sacked Nansian and Entrie from his administration.

"But he not only did not sack them after they have been sacked from SPDP, he also appointed Rosey as assistant minister and Paulus as Miri Port Authority chairman.

"To us, Taib is seen to be challenging the party members," he said.

Another delegate told Taib to look at the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled Selangor government as an example when it removed Datuk Dr Hassan Ali as an executive councillor after he had been sacked as a memher of PAS.

"Likewise, Taib should have sacked Nansian and Entrie, but he did not," the delegate said to the applause of the other delegates.

Another delegate accused Taib and other BN leaders of behind the Gang of Five.

He said while the SPDP leadership was trying to solve the issue concerning the Gang of Five, these BN leaders were seen to be instigating them.

"Therefore, it was very difficult for the SPDP leadership trying to resolve the issue," he said.

Many delegates called on the Gang of Five, which also included Dr Tiki Lafe, the MP for Mas Gading, to resign from their seats if they still had the honour and respect left.

"We, the grassroots leaders, will make sure that SPDP retains the seats, if by-elections are to be held," they said.

SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan, however, downplayed the issue concerning the Gang of Five and the BN leaders alleged to be behind them.

"We must look beyond the issue. It is time for us to look forward, moving on with our political agenda within the Barisan Nasional," he said.

He, however, appreciated the concerns and views expressed by the delegates.

Tomorrow, SPDP will hold its triennial general assembly, during which party election will be held. By Sematong Express.