• SPDP’s CONTRIBUTION: Mawan (right) hands over a mock cheque to Liu Thian Leong of SJK Sungai Tapang Hilir. Looking on at the centre is Tiong.

The president Datuk Seri William Mawan Ikom was concerned about this because “there is no way a political party can survive without members.

Speaking at SPDP’s ‘solidarity dinner’ at the civic centre last Saturday night, he explained that function was aimed at gathering the local members to prepare working for the coming election.

“This (solidarity dinner) is our road show, and I hope the other four parliamentary constituencies of our party would plan their own gathering because we don’t know when the election will be held,” he said, adding that it was crucial for all party members to gear for the election to ensure victory.

On fund raising for SJK Sungai Tapang Hilir (a Chinese school in Kuching) which cost about RM7 million to build, Mawan said they already had a meeting in which it was decided that at least about RM2 million would be raised.

Mawan then presented a cheque for RM500,000 to the chairman of the school, Liu Thian Leong.
On SJK Chung Hua in Sarikei whose eight classrooms have been damaged by termites, he said it too would be assisted by the party.

The SPDP branches in Bintangor, Pakan and Sarikei would find ways to repair the classrooms soon, he promised.

Among those who spoke at the function was the organising chairman of the dinner, Peter Nansian, who is also the party’s vice-president.

Bintulu Member of Parliament Dato Seri Tiong King Sing (the party’s treasurer-general), deputy president Datuk Peter Nyarok, and Assistant Minister for Water Supply Sylvester Entri were also present at the dinner.