Nogeh is loyal to SPDP, not joining TERAS

After weeks of silence, Mas Gading Member of Parliament Anthony Nogeh Gumbek today declared that he is staying put in Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

He made the announcement after meeting more than 200 of his grassroot leaders and supporters at SPDP headquarters here today.

"We have decided that I should stay put in SPDP...and I am staying put for reasons that I want to remain as Barisan Nasional (BN) MP.

"I want to continue my struggle as BN MP from SPDP. SPDP is still a component party in BN and, therefore, I am still a BN MP through SPDP and, as such, I am not joining the other side (Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak)," he told a press conference after the meeting.

Asked on his personal relationship with former SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan, who is now in Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS), Nogeh described the state Minister of Social Development as a very good boss.

"He used to be a very good boss. I respect him as a leader and as a mentor and in fact he was the one responsible to bring me into politics.

"I am still his good friend and don't be surprised I play golf with him but, of course, when he joined another side I don't share the ideology.

"I only can say that I wish him all the best and I am still his good friend," said Nogeh.

Nogeh said he wished Mawan and the others who had joined Teras all the best, adding that he had no quarrel with them.

He also denied that most of the party leaders in Tasik Biru and Opar branches had left SPDP to join Teras, adding that both Tasik Biru chairman Michael Siten and Opar chairman Ryan Narong were present at the meeting.

To another question, Nogeh said he believed it was still BN principle that if any BN component objected to TERAS joining BN then the party would not be accepted in the fold.