Tiong (fifth left) receives the new membership applications from Lau.
SIBU: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) received 655 applications to join the party at its Central Region Unity lunch at a leading hotel here yesterday.
SPDP Central Region comprises Meradong, Pakan, Meluan, Bukit Assek, Dudong, Bawang Assan, Pahlawan and Nangka divisions.
Dato’ Lau Cheng Kiong who represented five SPDP divisions, namely Bukit Assek, Dudong, Nangka, Bawang Assan and Pahlawan, handed over 387 new membership applications to Acting SPDP president Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing Tiong while the party’s Meradong Division submitted 268 applications to join the party.
Speaking at the function, Tiong said SPDP had emerged stronger from the crises that hit the party which culminated with the resignation of its former president Tan Sri William Mawan.
“I don’t think there is any issue in the party now. We are as strong and united as ever.” he said.
Among the more than 2,000 guests at the lunch were president of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui and members of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).
Tiong, who is also Bintulu member of parliament, called on members who stuck with the party through thick and thin during the protracted crises to bring it to greater heights.
Tiong explained to the members that the latest crisis was caused by Mawan’s attempt to re-admit four former party leaders whom he himself had sacked during an earlier crisis at the end of 2011.
The group consists of former senior vice-president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, vice-presidents Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, and Rosey Yunus, and information chief Paulus Palu Gumbang.
The four together with former Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe had declared they had lost confidence in Mawan prior to their sacking.
They left the party to form their own organisation called BN Club. However in 2013, they sounded out their intention to go back to SPDP.
Tiong said Mawan should have consulted the party’s Supreme Council which would have referred the matter to the Delegates Conference before making any decision.
He pointed out that there were rules and laws to be followed in the party. “Do not take the party for granted. We must consider the interest of the members and not ours only,” he said.