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KUCHING – State-based Parti Sarawak Baru (PSB) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) have agreed to join forces to face ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).
Both opposition parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here today which will see them working together in the parliamentary polls to ensure that seats will be amicably allocated between them – so as to avoid contesting against each other and splitting votes.
Speaking to The Vibes after the signing ceremony, PBK president Voon Lee Shan said both parties have heard voters’ concerns that multi-cornered fights must be avoided.
“Hence, PBK and PSB have teamed up to prevent the splitting of votes, which is a common feature here during the state or parliamentary elections.”
He said PBK and PSB are genuine homebred parties relevant to Sarawak and Sarawakians.
“We know better the needs of the state and Sarawakians and for this reason, we have teamed up for the good of the state and our people.”
“It is of utmost importance that Sarawak’s voice is heard in the Parliament. As locally based parties, we are able to bring local issues to the federal arena and strenuously push our agendas through, without fear and favour.”
“GE15 is round the corner. We urge Sarawakians to stand with us and vote us into the federal government.
“A resounding win for PSB and PBK will be the start of the state’s restoration of Sarawak,” he said.
When asked about a potential collaboration with DAP, Voon said PBK is unable to work with any peninsula-based political parties, especially members of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, in GE15.
“Our reasoning is simple: a seat won by them will deprive seats allocated to Sarawak, making our voice from Sarawak less audible in Parliament.
“A seat won in Sarawak by a PH coalition member is a seat lost to Sarawakians,” he added.
He said DAP had previously stated that it has no intention to work with local political parties, especially PBK.
Earlier in August, PSB secretary-general Baru Bian voiced his hopes that his party will be able to work with other opposition parties in the state.
He had said voters were unhappy that PSB entered the Sarawak election on its own despite it being a strong opposition party.
“Due to this, we paid the price and hopefully it is a lesson learned,” Baru had noted.
“I believe in looking forward, and with GE15 looming, I am hopeful that we will be able to come to an understanding with all opposition parties, local or otherwise,” he had said.
He also said if all opposition parties could work together, the tide may turn in their favour.
However, in the same month, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen had said all GE15 seat negotiations with PSB had reached a dead end.
“We could not accept PSB president Wong Soon Koh’s demand for DAP to ‘sacrifice’ one parliamentary seat for PSB,” he reportedly said. – The Vibes, September 19, 2022
