SPDP, PRS nod for Taib

August 27, 2010, Friday

KUCHING: Two of the state’s rural-based components of Barisan Nasional namely Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) still want Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to continue as chief minister.

Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom

SPDP president Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom said he would make sure Taib stay as the state’s chief executive.

“We need him. He’s the man, he’s the brain; how can anybody talk about him resigning. He’s a little bit tired sometimes, he should have a little bit of rest, but he’s the man (for the state).

“What we are facing (and) what the state is embarking on — we really need him to be because he’s the driving force and he puts us on the world map… No, he’s not resigning and I for one will make sure that he stays,” said Mawan.

Also the Social Development and Urbanisation Minister, Mawan came up with the statement when speaking to reporters after the state cabinet meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here.

Meanwhile, PRS president Dato Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, said the party will support Taib for as long as he wants to lead the state.

“As far as PRS is concerned, we have made our stand and we will not move.

“In the recent BN retreat in Mulu, each of us (the state BN components) made our stand as regard to CM to lead BN for the next election… And PRS has not changed its stand, as long as CM wants to lead we will be behind him,” said Masing, who is Land Development Minister.

Both Mawan and Masing were asked to comment on Wednesday’s news reports, which quoted Taib as saying that he was prepared to step down if the people do not want him anymore.

“I wanted to go out in 2006 but I was stopped, so what can I do? But now a lot of people say that I’m not needed and if I’m not needed then I have to go,” Taib, who is also State BN chairman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, was quoted as having said.