Tuesday February 26, 2013

Mawan: Dr Tiki does not meet the criteria of being BN’s direct candidate

By NIGEL EDGAR
nigeledgar@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe does not qualify to be a direct Barisan Nasional candidate, it was declared yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at his office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur near Petra Jaya here, SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan said the Mas gading incumbent did not meet the “criteria” of a direct BN candidate.

Mawan said as a member of the BN supreme council he knew for certain that a direct candidate would be chosen based on certain criteria and that Dr Tiki did not meet them.

“A potential direct candidate is someone who supports the government and its policies, supports the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, supports everything we (component parties) do, (everything) associated with us, and helps us, willing to sacrifice for the people, winnable and has never been in any political party,” he said.

When asked about Najib’s statement last week of possible direct candidate, Mawan said the prime minister had the final say and that it was up to Najib if it was for the sake of practical politics.

Mawan said SPDP had made its decision a while ago and that the party would not nominate a non-party member because it would be against the party’s principles.

“Beyond that would be Najib’s prerogative, which should not be questioned,” he said.

Asked of possibility of direct BN candidates for the coming elections, Mawan said: “I hope it would not be in that (Dr Tiki’s) context.

“If there is anyone who has never been a member of any component party and has been good to and supportive of BN, its policies and PM leadership, and one of us, helping, willing to serve and winnable, why not?

“But not in the context of those who have resigned, left the party, or worse — sacked,” he said.

Mawan pointed to a case where Larry Sng’s application to join SPDP a few years ago was rejected.

“He was sacked by PRS. He applied to join SPDP but we rejected his application based on the criteria,” he said.

Earlier, Mawan witnessed Xanadu Pub and Lounge handing over a RM9,000 donation to the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society.

SPDP has made it clear on many occassions that it has nominated Salcra deputy general manager Anthony Nogeh to defend Mas Gading.

BN coalition members in Mas Gading also have proclaimed their support for Nogeh, with leading figures like Opar PBB chairman Datuk Peter Minos and Mas Gading PBB chairman John Nyigor, leading the clamour to have Dr Tiki replaced.

News

Tuesday February 26, 2013

Mawan: Dr Tiki does not meet the criteria of being BN’s direct candidate

By NIGEL EDGAR nigeledgar@thestar.com.my

By NIGEL EDGAR
nigeledgar@thestar.com.my