Sng (fourth left) joins the yee sang tossing ceremony. From second right are Wong, Tan, Dr Ong, Yong and Chiew.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) launched its Padungan branch on Friday. President Larry Sng said the party’s first urban branch was in line with its tag-line ‘A party for all Sarawakians’.
“We are here to build up support for those who are already in Kuching, and not here to contest. We should look at how we can work together to enhance our strength and trust, and tonight is the time we start,” he said.
Among those present were Democratic Action Party (DAP) elected representatives Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei, Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, Batu Kawa assemblywoman Christina Chiew and Stampin Member of Parliament Julian Tan.
“Other friends have not been able to be here because they have leaders from Kuala Lumpur coming to Kuching,” said Sng alluding to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
He added that SWP has worked to strengthen itself by recruiting more quality leaders and members.
“We received 40,000 member applications in the six seats contested last general election. After looking at the election results, we realise it is more important to look at the quality of leaders that we are able to bring into the party.”
SWP secretary-general Dr Ong Lak Sai, who is Padungan branch chairman, said the party would not “destruct the status quo of Kuching city” and would work closely with “friends” to do whatever it could.
“But should there be a delineation of Kuching city, which means more constituencies coming up, we would like to request, after negotiation and discussion, to be given a chance to contest,” he said.
Dr Ong added that the party looked forward to setting up more urban branches.