CM: Nansian’s cabinet post temporary
by Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on April 24, 2013, Wednesday
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will allow Datuk Peter Nansian to remain in the cabinet until a solution can be reached between the partyless assemblyman with Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).
Taib, who is also state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said Nansian’s position in the cabinet would be treated as temporary to allow time for further discussions between SPDP and the five sacked elected representatives to find a way for a possible return.
He said this in response to whether the state would follow in the footstep of Umno in sacking members and incumbent MPs who defied Prime Minister and national BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s call against contesting as independent candidates.
Nansian, who is Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (industrial estate) and Assistant Minister of Community Services, is alleged to have helped Mas Gading incumbent MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe in this election campaign.
He is assemblyman for Tasik Biru, one of two state seats under Mas Gading parliamentary constituency.
“Dr Tiki is not a member of any BN party after being sacked by SPDP. As for Nansian, his position is a temporary arrangement. I allow him to be in the cabinet until a solution is found with SPDP,” Taib told reporters when met after officiating at the opening of meet-the-people session at Kampung Baru here yesterday.
Among those in the some 500 crowd were BN-PBB candidate for Kota Samarahan Rubiah Wang, Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Sri Mohammad Ali Mahmud.
Dr Tiki, who is also chairman of National Service Training Council will defend his seat as an independent in a four-cornered fight with BN-SPDP candidate Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, Mordi Bimol (DAP) and Patrick Anek Uren of Star.
On Monday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that his ministry had reviewed Dr Tiki’s position as NSTC chairman following the latter’s decision to contest as an independent candidate.
A report will be submitted to the Yang-di Pertuan Agung Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah who holds purview over the appointment of the NSTC chairman post.
In January last year, SPDP sacked four of its elected representative – Dr Tiki, Nansian, Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) – for gross insubordination. The fifth member, Marudi assemblyman Datuk Dr Sylvester Entrie was issued a termination letter in Nov 2011.
The faction, initially known as the SPDP Group of 5 went on to set up a BN Club to continue serving their duties as elected representatives.
At one particular time, there were speculations that the group had tried to register a new political party called Teras.
There is still no update on its registration.
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