KUCHING: A former SPDP strongman and a member of the so-called Group of 5, Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, says he is staying away from politics, at least for the time being.
He said he wanted to spend more time with his family and putting politics at the backburner for the time being.
“I don’t say that I quit politics because anything can happen and we never know the circumstances will be but for moment, I just want to spend more time with my family,” the former Mas Gading MP said when contacted yesterday.
Dr Tiki, together with Datuk Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru), Datuk Sylvester Entri (Marudi), Paulus Palu Ngumbang (Batu Danau) and Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) were sacked from the party in Nov 2011 and Jan 2012 for gross insubordination.
Following the sacking, Dr Tiki contested in Mas Gading as an Independent in the last general election, but lost.
He was later replaced at chairman of National Service Council.
Dr Tiki also jokingly said yesterday that he was no more a G5 member, but a G1, and now working “to look for more money”.
Last Saturday, SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan extended an olive branch to G5, to heed Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib’s call to reunite and reconsolidate.
He told reporters after officiating at an official function that he was all for letting ‘bygone be bygone’ for the interest of the party and BN.