Engkilili assemblyman could cross over to Barisan


KUCHING: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa, who won the May 20 state elections under the SarawakNational Party (SNAP) ticket, has indicated he may cross over to the Barisan Nasional. 

He confirmed Tuesday that he was in talks to join Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) led by state Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk William Mawan. 

“It is the wish of my constituents to join the Barisan as they want development, like electricity and water supplies as well as healthcare,” he told reporters at the Sarawak State Assembly lobby yesterday. 

Dr Rayong is the pro tem deputy president of Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC) whose application to be registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has been rejected.  

MDC was informed of the rejection on Monday. 

“As MDC is not registered, there is no political platform for me to serve.” 

Dr Rayong, a private practitioner, defeated Barisan's Jonathan Krai Pilo, who represented Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) in the recent state election. 

He used the SNAP symbol in the election though he was not a party member. SNAP, MDC and Parti Keadilan Rakyat formed an opposition coalition to take on Barisan in the polls.

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