SNAP looks likely to join the fray: CEC member

ARCHIVES 2009

By MT Webmaster On Mar 15, 2009

(The Borneo Post) – Whether or not Sarawak National Party (SNAP) will field its own candidate in the Batang Ai by-election on April 7 will be known after its central executive committee (CEC) meeting scheduled for March 21.

SNAP central executive (CEC) member William Sirai Atom said SNAP had shortlisted three candidates but the final decision to contest or not would be finalised during the meeting.

“I am optimistic the party will contest because in general I’ve seen other CEC members showing great interest in Batang Ai, especially our deputy president Ting Ling Kiew who looks very eager to fight for what used to belong to SNAP,” he said.

Sirai, who heads SNAP Kemena branch, said as the party was not officially under Pakatan Rakyat (PR), with no agreement signed to say that it was a member of PR, SNAP had every right to contest the seat.

“I want to make this clear, that SNAP is never under PR. I don’t know those people who say we are part of PR, I think they must have their own individual interest or agenda.

“But as far as SNAP CEC is concerned, as any decision must go through CEC first, we are an independent party with no relation to PR or Barisan Nasional (BN),” stressed Sirai.

He said SNAP, as a Sarawak-based party, was still relevant and on this ground alone it had better chance than any other non-local party.

Sirai also declared that as a multiracial party with strong rural roots, SNAP could not afford to just stay out of Batang Ai without consulting its grassroots in the area and holding a proper meeting before making any decision.

“Our by-election committee chairman Ting had met and contacted our grassroots members in the constituency to get their views.

“Our supporters are itching for a fight, therefore, the likely hood of SNAP entering the fray is highly likely,” Sirai said.

“I take this opportunity to advise young Ibans in particular to think deeply before making any decision whether they want to support peninsula-based party or Sarawak-based party like SNAP,” he added.