This was stated by secretary of SPDP Lukut branch Chia Jit Kwong in his welcoming speech at the official launching of the branch at Penyulau, Kanowit, about 75 km from here yesterday.

His statement was also reiterated by branch chairman Kong Nyuk Khee who also spoke.

The launching was officiated at by SPDP president Dato Sri William Mawan, who is also Social Development and Urbanisation Minister.

Bintulu member of parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is also SPDP treasurer general and Youth chief; Aaron, Ngemah assemblyman Gabriel Adit, Senator Pau Chiong Ung, two political secretaries to the Chief Minister Paul Igai and Peter Howell Jilan and Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman James Laju Ambok were among those present.

“YB Aaron is a very dedicated, hardworking and approachable YB who is always willing to go the extra mile for his constituents.

“He has brought many important infrastructure developments and progress to Kanowit and its people,” Chia said, adding that Aaron had led them to be united under the caring Barisan Nasional (BN) government since he became the MP more than three years ago.

He said in view of Aaron’s good record, about 200 of the constituents, mainly from the Chinese community in the area decided voluntarily to form the branch.

“We want to rally our support for YB Aaron through SPDP, and we also want to ensure his landslide victory this coming election.

“We feel really honoured to have this opportunity to make this pledge to BN in front of four YBs as well as many important persons from the government present here today,” Chia added.

In his speech, Aaron, who is advisor of SPDP Kanowit (Machan and Ngemah divisions) and chairman of Ngemah division, as well as a supreme council member of SPDP, said the formation of the branch was another milestone for SPDP and BN in Kanowit as the party strived to win the hearts and minds of the people to stay united behind the BN instead of straying to the opposition camps.

“This is our third branch in Machan after the successful launching of Majau/Ranan and Bukong branches last year.

“We already have three branches in Ngemah, and we will be launching another three this year as we move to make our presence better known in every polling district here.

“Official records in SPDP headquarters show that SPDP membership in Kanowit now is about 6,000, which is a remarkable increase from the membership three years ago when we only had about 2,000.

“We want to strengthen our grassroots support base to build a politically-strong and matured Kanowit which will be more conducive for further development and progress under the BN government here,” the MP said.

The function was also attended by a number of councilors, including Cr Leong Khing Hee (Ahee) who is also SPDP Machan division chairman, Cr Tiong Yong Hing and Cr Tang Sing Kiong of SPDP Bukit Assek, Cr Kong Siew Toh (SPDP Bawang Assan), ex-Cr Teo Boon Siew (SPDP Dudong), Cr Chambai Lindong and Cr Elizabeth Ling.