KUCHING, August 30: Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom has denied a rumour that he is leaving the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) for political survival.
When reporters approached him today for his comment, he told them it was merely speculation meant to tarnish his reputation.
“No. Don’t speculate on things. Don’t comment. I’m a GPS man. There should not be any doubt about my … why people look at me differently?
“Don’t look at me differently. I’m media savvy, so please don’t twist,” he said.
The rumour has been making its rounds since the last general election (GE14). It was alleged then that he helped fund PKR’s Saratok MP Ali Biju’s election campaign. After GE14, the rumour mill went into overdrive that Mawan planned to join Pakatan Harapan (PH) and that he was helping Ali from time to time.
On April 14 this year, Mawan made a surprising announcement that he had been a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) member since 2016 and hoped to be renominated to defend Saratok in GE14.
He was Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president till May 2014 before quitting, claiming mutiny against his leadership. At the same time, he announced he was joining Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing then took over SPDP’s presidency and changed the party’s name to Progressive Democratic Party (PDP). — DayakDaily
