MIRI – Sarawak opposition, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) – has been given a boost from leaders of the predominantly Dayak Sarawak National Party Baru (SNAP Baru) ahead of the looming 12th state elections.
SNAP Baru pro tem president Stanley Jugol and his party leaders announced that they have pledged their support to PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and PSB to form the next state government.
“With regards to this very important event in Sarawak, Sarawak National Party Baru pledge our full support to PSB.
“SNAP was a multiracial party accepting membership from all races in Sarawak so that no race would be side-lined or suppressed in whatever form.
“This policy has received wide support throughout Sarawak even to this day,” says Jugol.
“During the 1970 state elections, SNAP won 12 seats and arrangements were made to form a coalition state government with SUPP and Pesaka.
“This would have been the most strategic alliance for racial harmony and political stability for Sarawak.
“However, the deal did not go through as SUPP and Pesaka aborted the idea at the last minute.
“Had this proposed coalition government gone through, we may see a different political landscape today.
“We are currently in the process of reviving SNAP as a party (after the original one was deregistered more than 10 years ago),” he said.
“We have submitted an application to register SNAP Baru.
“Meanwhile we recognise that Parti Bersatu Sarawak led by Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh is also a party based on our same principles of multiracialism, multiculturalism and inclusivity that is suitable for all Sarawakians.
“Therefore, we are confident that the majority of all races will support PSB and its struggles in the upcoming state election to form the new Sarawak government.
“We hereby urge and call upon all SNAP loyal members and supporters, which are still considerable, to fully support PSB in the 12th state election,” Jugol told reporters in Kuching after meeting Wong.
He said it is obvious that SNAP and PSB have the same DNA.
“When SNAP Baru is registered, we will continue to support and work closely with PSB in the new state government,” he said.
“Let us make what could have been possible in 1970, happen in this forthcoming election.”
PSB and Pakatan Harapan are taking on the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition in the coming state polls, expected very soon.
At present, GPS controls 68 of the 82 state constituencies in Sarawak.
SNAP was once a rising force in Sarawak in the 1970s until the party withered due to internal leadership disputes in the 1980s and 1990s.
The dispute subsequently led to the party’s deregistration about 15 years ago. – The Vibes, October 25, 2021
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