THE IMFAMOUS SPDP 5 REINSTATED

The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) has officially buried three years’ worth of hatchet with its four former senior members that it sacked for insubordination by accepting them back into the fold.

State assemblymen Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie (Tasik Biru), Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran (Marudi), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) were reinstated as members of SPDP with immediate effect, thanks in large part to Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s role in mediating the reconciliation process.

In a press conference yesterday, Tan Sri Adenan Satem noted that the return of these four assemblymen to their former party was “…historical, and should come as a positive step and a good news for Barisan Nasional (BN).”

Before the press conference, he received a courtesy call from the SPDP Supreme Council, led by their President Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom.  He mentioned during the press conference that the courtesy call was done only to formally inform Tan Sri Adenan Satem on their decision regarding the matter.

 However, the newly reinstated state assemblymen, who prior to their sacking took up senior posts within the party, will only serve as ordinary members of SPDP for the time being. Tan Sri Adenan Satem said that “…if they want to hold any post they can always offer themselves for contest in the party’s upcoming Triennial General Assembly (TGA).”

Another former party member, Datuk Dr. Tiki Lafe who was also a former Member of Parliament in Mas Gading who was sacked together with the four could not be reinstated immediately, according to Tan Sri William Mawan because he had contested against Barisan Nasional in the last General Election.

In a gesture of good faith, Tan Sri William Mawan extended another olive branch and told the press that “…he could submit his application separately to rejoin the party.”