KUCHING: Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) considers Pakatan Rakyat (Pakatan) as a potential working partner to serve as an alternative voice for the people.
Its president Larry Sng described working with Pakatan as one of his party’s “top priorities”, especially after the 13th general election in May last year.
“The political environment now is for a two-party system, and the policies of Pakatan are people-oriented,” he told reporters after launching SWP Padungan branch here on Friday.
Also present was Padungan assemblyman and state DAP publicity secretary Wong King Wei. The DAP is a component party of Pakatan. Its other coalition partners are PKR and PAS.
Sng said it was essential for the people to have an alternative voice, and SWP could work closely with Pakatan towards this end.
An alternative platform has grown to be a must-have, he said, particularly now with the rising costs of living and even religious freedom being questioned.
Sng added that SWP “is open-minded” about joining the opposition front, adding his party acknowledged its weaknesses and failures in the last general election.
“I think there is a lot more work to be done, and we are willing to work with whoever is willing to work with us.”
On where he would be contesting in the 11th state election, Sng, who is the former Pelagus assemblyman, hinted he might contest in an urban seat even though he had been busy in Pelagus.
“I do not rule myself out while I am also moving around in Pelagus. What we did the last round (in 2011 state election) was we said ‘vote for George (Lagong) for me to come back’.
“Although I did not win on that ticket because George won, his win is also my win. So for me, even though I am not the elected representative, I feel indebted to serve the people there.
“And I love the people as well, and the people love me.”
Meanwhile, Wong opined that SWP could play a complementary role to the DAP in his constituency.
“We welcome the SWP Padungan branch for it will only strengthen our work in Padungan. It will not be any hindrance to the DAP. I feel happy to be invited to this launch, which shows a gesture of friendliness.”
Wong, who is also state DAP Socialist Youth chairman, was confident SWP could help DAP’s efforts in penetrating the rural areas while the latter could offer SWP learning opportunities.
“We can complement each other because they started off in the rural areas and we started off in the urban areas. I think we can share and it will be a great learning opportunity for us.”