MIRI – The two key opposition parties in Sarawak, DAP and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), will begin their first round of discussions on forming a united state-level opposition on Tuesday.
Sarawak DAP deputy chairman Alice Lau told reporters in Sibu that this is only the first leg of the talks and if all goes well, they may rope in other opposition parties into the coalition.
“Sarawak DAP and PSB will be initiating the first round of talks. At this initial stage, the effort towards a united opposition front in Sarawak will start between DAP and PSB.
“As the effort progresses, we will bring in the other opposition parties too. We need to get this united alliance in place soonest.
“It looks like the 15th general election may be called very soon,” said the Lanang MP after a party gathering there.
Currently, PSB holds four seats in the state assembly while DAP commands two seats out of a total of 82, with state administration Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) commanding a whopping 76 seats.
The state also has 31 parliamentary constituencies with GPS commanding 19 seats, 11 for the opposition parties and one independent lawmaker.
Lau will lead the Sarawak DAP delegation for the talks while PSB is represented by its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
The venue and time for their discussion are still being arranged.
The efforts towards a united opposition front in Sarawak took a more urgent note after the opposition parties lost badly during last December’s polls, when they fought each other in multi-cornered fights against the ruling GPS.
However, there are some in the opposition that do not seem to want to cooperate in any united alliance.
Dayak-based opposition party Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) insists that it will contest in Dayak-majority seats in this coming 15th general election.
Whether or not Sarawak DAP forges an opposition alliance with other opposition parties, PBDS is not willing to back down from its traditional seats, said PBDS vice-president Sawing Kedit recently.
“It is a good idea for Sarawak DAP to want to forge an opposition alliance. We welcome the statement by Sarawak DAP chairman YB Chong Chieng Jen that his party wants to cooperate with other opposition parties to fight GPS.
“PBDS has our traditional seats. We have our policies on which seats we will contest. We are willing to discuss it, but we will field our candidates for GE15,” he said early this month.
PBDS is the second opposition party in Sarawak to focus on its own needs even though the proposed opposition alliance is vital.
Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR’s attention is focused on its own party elections over joining any alliance to face GE15.
Last month, state PKR vice-chairman Roland Engan said even though the party understands that a united front against GPS is critical, they need to put their own house in order first.
“We in PKR are focusing on the party elections first before we can look at working with other opposition parties for the coming general election,” he said. – The Vibes, April 24, 2022
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