Retreat timing not quite right, says S'wak MP

The timing for the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) ‘educational’ retreat overseas may not be right because of the current political scenario, according to a Sarawak member of parliament.

Mas Gading MP Dr Tiki Lafe (BN-SPDP) said while the purpose of the retreat to gain knowledge was good, the timing would be subjected to wild speculation and ridicule.

“As the time is now considered ‘critical’, we have to be more practical. When the opposition is boasting of taking over the government everyday, there is more reason why we should be in our respective constituency,” he told The Borneo Post in Kuching yesterday.

“We should be with our people now to refute the allegations made by the opposition and prevent them from being brainwashed. By going away, we are only exposing our constituencies.”

Tiki, who is Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) vice-president, said the opposition could also make use of the BN trip to create all kinds of wild rumours.

He hoped that his criticism of the retreat would not be interpreted as an intention to defect to Pakatan Rakyat and that people should not question his loyalty to BN.

“Just that, the time is not right. I will be in Bau during the period of the supposed retreat,” he said confirming that he would not be on the trip slated for Sept 7-19.

Others will go if invited

Tiki also said it was hard to know if the threat or fear of crossover was real.

Tiki, a three-term MP, was one of those linked to the impending crossover to Pakatan in the much-touted claim of Anwar Ibrahim.

Soon after the March 8 election, Tiki went on long leave overseas after he was not re-appointed a deputy minister. His post, the only federal cabinet appointment for SPDP, was taken up by party colleague, Dr Jacob Sangan.

Meanwhile, Lubok Antu MP William Nyallau Badak said he had not received any invitation or call from the BBC yet on the trip.

Nyallau, from Parti Rakyat Sarawak, said he would still have to look at the terms of the trip “because if it is too expensive, I would have to say no.”

Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu said she would be going for the trip if invited.

Serian MP Richard Riot of Supp also told The Borneo Post that he had not received any invitation but reiterated that he would join the trip if invited.

“Yes, of course I will go. I’m a BN man,” he said.