In a shocking move Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) strongman Tedwin Ngumbang has quit the party he founded, slamming Chief Minister Taib Mahmud for ‘bullying and ignoring’ PRS.
Ngumbang, who is ‘special adviser’ to party president James Masing, said Taib ‘consistenty ignored’ Masing’s requests and demands which were in the interest of the Dayak community and this compelled him to resign.
“I am uncomfortable to see PRS being bullied and ignored by Taib.
“What the PRS president asks in the name and interest of Dayaks in letters to Taib, the chief minister does not reply. He just ignores them,” he said, pointing out that Masing tried his best.
Ngumbang’s resignation has shaken the political community in PRS as he is seen as someone who has ‘everything’ going for him, both in business and politics.
His move from his ‘comfort zone’ has thrown-up speculations of a possible exodus to revive Sarawak National Party (SNAP).
Ngumbang, who announced his decison to SNAP president Edwin Dundang after a SNAP symposium here yesterday, said: “I cannot stand it anymore. I cannot stand to see how Taib treats PRS and Masing.”
Citing the case of controversial assemblyman Larry Sng and the Pelagus seat, Ngumbang said Taib had added insult-to-injury when he ignored Masing’s call to replace Sng from his ministerial post.
“It was a slap for PRS. Larry (Sng) was sacked from PRS and Masing wanted him to be replaced as an assistant minister with another PRS elected representative.
“But Taib not only ignores Masing, but gives two more assistant ministerial posts to Sng. This is an insult not only to PRS, but to the Dayak community.
“I cannot stand this anymore,” he said.
Founding member
Ngumbang was one of those responsible for the formation of PRS during the leadership crisis of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) which led to its deregistration on Oct 21, 2004.
At the same time PRS was registered, claiming to replace PBDS.
And in the crisis of the newly formed PRS, Tedewin also played a leading role which led to the expulsion of Larry Sng from the party in April in 2009.
Commenting on Ngumbang’s resignation, PRS secretary general Wilfred Nissom said that he expected to receive the former’s resignation letter this Monday.
“Tedewin (Ngumbang) has a cause for which he has a strong feeling. We respect his decision to want to leave PRS in order to pursue his cause,” Nissom said.
Challenging Jabu?
Meanwhile Ngumbang’s resignation has prompted speculation that he may take on incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang in the Layar constituency in the coming state election. Jabu has been representing the area for more than 36 years.
Ngumbang, who is related to Jabu, is very popular among the people of Layar.
Ngumbang is believed to ‘know the insides’ about Jabu and may want to use such information in the coming election.
“For the time being, I am assessing my chances in Layar,” said Ngumbang when asked of his plans.
“I want to talk to my supporters first … I want to know whether they prefer me or Joe Unggang,” he added, saying that he believed that a three-cornered fight was likely in Layar as PKR was also keen on the seat.
SNAP, which has its birthplace in Betong, is certain to contest the seat. In fact, it has identified a number of candidates for the seat.
SNAP secretary general Stanley Jugol welcomed Tedewin to join the party, but could not promise him anything.
“SNAP welcomes anyone who shares its struggle to join the party,” he said.
He agreed that Ngumbang’s move to SNAP will likely compell many more disillusioned members of the BN to join the party in the next few weeks. – FMT
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Pingback by PRS strongman quits BN, slams ‘bully’ Taib « Hornbill Unleashed | Skin Care Products Sale — February 12, 2011 @ 11:33 PM |
Tedwin Ngumbang is not the first leader from PRS that quits the party due to Taib bullying tactic.In year 2008,another leader Beginda Minda resigned from PRS and joined PKR as he could not cope to see his party being bullied by Taib.
Comment by saribas jack — February 1, 2011 @ 11:13 PM |
Tedwin Ngumbang should challenge Taib, instead of Jabu. Cakap tak serupa bikin!
Comment by wan munan mahmud — February 1, 2011 @ 9:51 AM |
Again we have to take this to you all PRs leaders your seriousness on the very sole mission whether are you still having fighting spirit to remove BN control over our State. No point talking of KITA presence in our State. Zaidi should not come promote allaying fears so as to create conflicting interests among the State PRs alliance. KITA should emphasis more on the federation issues that eroded our Sarawak constitutional rights. Your good deeds will then see PRs joining a unified force with your KITA with hope to deny the total control of the federal BN. Zaidi should reaffirm his mission ie to join force with PRs to remove the State BN. Do remember SNAP of her deep political rooting in Sarawak. The chance on gaining her strength should at the best interest be confined to her original deeply rooted home bases. No point counting the chicken before they hatch.
Sign of dissensions over high office position still strongly attached among the egoistic members whose attitude is always of wanting be the forerunner. Loud and witty they seem (though being the backbones but the lazy bones type) but deep in their hearts we yet to know what they are wanting for. The coming GE may see their golden opportunity to becoming the new candidates among the PRs but we are observing both aspects of the candidate and the party. You can betray us because you can confuse the PRS supporters. Please remind all voters that only vote for one candidate. And let not the favourite PRs eliminate our strength against the BN. We do not want Post Office boy becoming a Political boy then turning to becoming a Police boy. No more new Party please otherwise blame no one except your own self for dividing our sole interest by putting BN in the fore front again instead of unity among the PRs and supporters.
Comment by miaowkia — January 31, 2011 @ 2:01 PM |
3 corner fight – that will let Jabu the second thief-in-chief laugh louder and has nice sleep till the polling day. Probably, Jabu is able to pay for all these to happen so that his fortress at Layar is untouchable.
If this any mysterious card that comes at a mysterious time?
Comment by Tuai Rumah 2010 — January 31, 2011 @ 1:10 PM |
Another BN gambit.
Comment by sam — January 31, 2011 @ 11:34 AM |
The reasons are not convincing since the Pelagus issue had been frying in the wok for such a long time, and it still is.
The issue could not have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, in the way that Tedewin Ngumbang appear to describe it.
In any abrupt switching of sides by politician; the inevitable question, is also the timing: why now ?
…. “he believed that a three-cornered fight was likely in Layar as PKR was also keen on the seat”, also suggest a simplistic plot to neuter the threats to Jabu with a split opposition.
At the grassroot, the voters and supporters of Joe Unggang and Tedwin Ngumbang must be at each others throat already. This irreversible acrimony within Opposition can only be good for Jabu during polling day, no matter what happen between now and then.
The man may have indeed switch sides for far more meaningul reasons than Pelagus but until he is probed properly, say in a one2one interview – one will never know.
SNAP can welcome Tedewin Ngumbang but should not throw all caution to the wind, and to go against the Pakatan partners’ decision on candidacy later, just to try to ride on a high ranking defection to prop the party (and push/shove Tedewin into the candidacy list).
Comment by MERAMAT TAJAK — January 31, 2011 @ 11:27 AM |
Let Parti Rakyat Sarawak withdraw from the BN coalition and come join Pakatan Rakyat to become the backbone Sarawak Opposition party..stop become Taib servants.
Comment by adil — January 31, 2011 @ 11:01 AM |
Najib come bac k soon. He bring all kinds sweet dates from Middle East. And got perfume, too!
Comment by ngemit — January 31, 2011 @ 11:00 AM |
Sweet dates like Taib with sweet young Syrian honey.
Comment by Headhunter18million — January 31, 2011 @ 7:58 PM |
Ah, ah!!! Not as good as an Egyptian belly dancer! With those deep stirring sphynx eyes!
Comment by ctzen — February 1, 2011 @ 12:22 AM |
Please give more details on the E-belly dancer?
Comment by headhunter18million — February 1, 2011 @ 4:41 PM |
How about 5 million for a U-turn? If not enough, ask for 50 million … sure can
Comment by Tigeryk — January 31, 2011 @ 4:54 AM |
Congrats PRS for findong your own voice and independence again! Here is the proposed 3rd Force for you to join that has to be formalized :
KITA, MCLM, PCM, Borneo Front, Konsensus Bebas, HRP, PSM !
JOIN the 3rd Force Parties but still work with the non-Oligarchs and non-racists on either BN or PR ! End the APARTHEID ! Destroy the Oligarchs in all political parties !
Here’s something that will help voters decide if candidacy is not their thing or too expensive :
Barisan – Apartheid, Corrupt and Nepotistic-Oligarchs
Pakatan – Corrupt and Nepotistic-Oligarchs (excepting PAS)
3rd Force – Corrupt Only
Pick the coalition with the least flaws.
Comment by AgreeToDisagree — January 31, 2011 @ 2:23 AM |