KUCHING: Interest has begun to build up on a possible clash for the deputy president post in Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), which will hold its first triennial party elections here on Feb 7.
State Assistant Minister for Tourism Peter Nyarok Entrie was the first one to have declared that he was eyeing the No. Two post after party’s pro tem deputy president Datuk Peter Tinggom announced that he would retire from politics.
Tinggom, 78, and who is serving his last term as Saratok MP, was a long-serving deputy president of the de-registered Sarawak National Party (SNAP).
At the height of the SNAP’s leadership crisis several months ago, the former Federal Deputy Minister had asked president Datuk Amar James Wong Kim Min to retire together with him and hand over the leadership baton to younger leaders.
Nyarok, 61, and SPDP’s protem vice-president, is among the most senior leaders in the newly registered party.
The third-term Krian assemblyman was critical of Wong’s leadership, and has played a key role in setting up SPDP, which has taken the place of SNAP in the state Barisan Nasional.
Party sources said yesterday that Nyarok might have to face Tasik Biru assemblyman Peter Nansian Nguise, who has been described as “ politically ambitious.”
“Although Nansian has not made a stand, he is a likely contender for the deputy president’s post,” sources added.
Another pro tem vice-president Dr Tiki Lafe cautioned on Saturday that a contest for the party’s top posts would not be healthy and thus should be avoided.
Dr Tiki, Deputy Minister for National Unity and Community Development, wanted leaders to be elected based on consultations and consensus.
SPDP pro tem president Datuk William Mawan Ikom, also state Environment and Public Health Minister, is unlikely to face a contest for the party’s top post.
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