MIRI – Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a component of the state-ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), is planning to merge with “opposition” party Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) soon.
PDP deputy president Datuk Henry Jinep said PDP and PSB will merge into one entity under GPS if things go according to plan.
“We in PDP are consulting our grassroots on this proposed merger. PSB is also doing the same consultation with their grassroots.
“If all sides agree, we will surely go for the merger,” he told a press conference in Sibu today.
Jinep said both parties will carry out branch gatherings in the districts throughout Sarawak in which the merger plan will be discussed.
“It is crucial we get the grassroots to support the merger plan,” he said.
On July 15, the leaders of GPS convened a meeting to discuss PDP’s proposed merger with PSB, during which GPS leaders supported the move.
The meeting was attended by leaders of GPS components Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and PDP.
“The move by PDP and PSB to form a collaboration is already expected. PSB has been trying to link up with GPS for quite some time already.
“PSB had wanted to also work with SUPP and PRS,” said SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian after a function in Kuching.
While GPS looks jubilant with the latest political hook-up between PDP and PSB, a Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) senator said PSB’s move aims to kill off the opposition in Sarawak, since PDP is in the ruling coalition.
Abun Sui, who is Sarawak PKR deputy chairman and Sarawak PH information chief, said PSB is no longer considered an opposition party in Sarawak.
“PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (state assemblyman for Bawang Assan) is the current opposition leader in the Sarawak assembly.
“His move to get PSB to form a partnership with PDP at the state and national levels means PSB is no longer an opposition party in Sarawak, since PDP is a component of the GPS state government.
“Wong should officially resign as the opposition leader for Sarawak since PSB is no longer in the opposition in the state.”
The only opposition state assembly representatives now are from Sarawak DAP in the form of Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblyman Violet Yong.
“The three current PSB assemblymen who were once in the opposition in the Sarawak assembly are now partners with GPS.
“Wong, Johnical Rayong (Engkili), and Baru Bian of PSB are not considered opposition anymore, so Wong must give up the opposition leader post,” Sui told reporters here.
Sui, a lawyer based in Miri, said PSB chose a strange route in forming a partnership with a GPS component.
“PSB declaring that it supports Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the federal level is fully understandable.
“However, for PSB to declare support for PDP and GPS’ Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg is very strange because Wong has never declared that he would quit as opposition leader in Sarawak,” said Sui.
Wong and other PSB leaders met with PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing in Kuala Lumpur two months ago, and inked a deal to form partnership with each other at the state and national levels.
PSB has three seats in the 82-seat state assembly, while DAP has two and GPS has 76. The other representative is an independent. – The Vibes, August 15, 2023
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