CM not bothered by PPP’s presence

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud prefers to leave People’s Progressive Party (PPP)’s fate in the hands of the rakyat.

He said he was “okay” with PPP’s presence in the state because Sarawak is a free country.

“It’s okay…what can we do? It’s a free country…up to the people to choose.”

Taib, who had earlier launched ‘International Orchid Show 2011’, said this yesterday when approached by reporters for his comment on PPP’s entry into the state which might encourage other peninsula-based parties to follow suit.

Last Saturday, PPP president Datuk Seri M Kayveas revealed that the party would field independent candidates in the state during the 13th general election if the state BN continued to sideline them.

Kayveas said he was confident that the federal BN would give PPP the green light to proceed with their plan.

On membership in the state, Kayveas claimed that it had risen to 50,000 from 30,000 last year. Out of this, Chinese made up 55 per cent, Iban and Bidayuh (more than 35 per cent) and Malay (5 per cent).

The party had also issued a statement stating that the ROS had given them the approval to establish branches in 13 constituencies in the state, including in
Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawah, Bengoh, Dudong, Sibu, Meradong and Bintangor.