Time’s up: PKR urges PSB reps to step down, make way for by-election

MIRI – Miri PKR chief Dr Teo Yu Keng has called on three Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) state assemblymen to resign and enable a by-election to be called.

This, he said, will give voters the power to make known their feelings about PSB “jumping into the arms” of the state ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

The three representatives in question are Wong Soon Koh of Bawang Assan, Baru Bian of Ba’kelalan, and Johnical Rayong of Engkili.

“PSB contested the last state election under the guise of an opposition party. 

“The voters elected PSB because they wanted an opposition voice.

“PSB is not a genuine opposition…they always sided with GPS to split votes and weaken Pakatan Harapan candidates.

“Now that PSB has jumped into GPS’ arms, the three PSB assemblymen should resign.

“Allow a by-election so that voters can punish them,” Dr Teo told The Vibes yesterday.

Unexpected

Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg recently convened with GPS components to discuss the move by its coalition member Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) to link up with the “opposition” PSB.

The meeting was attended by leaders of the GPS component parties of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and PDP.

Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman, said GPS is happy about PSB’s move to work with PDP and GPS.

“We welcome the PSB and PDP partnership, but PSB will not be officially included in GPS.

“We will see how the PDP and PSB partnership progresses.”

SUPP president Datuk Seri Sim Kui Hian had said the move by PDP and PSB was expected.

“The move by PDP and PSB to form a collaboration was expected.

“PSB had been trying to link with GPS for quite some time already.

“PSB had wanted to also work with SUPP and PRS,” said Sim after a function in Kuching.

Wipe out

While GPS looks jubilant with the latest political hook-up between PDP and PSB, the move by PSB to link with PDP is akin to PSB trying to wipe out opposition in Sarawak, as PDP is a component of GPS, said Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s Abun Sui.

Sui, who is Sarawak PKR deputy chairman and Sarawak PH information chief, added that PSB is no longer considered an opposition party in Sarawak.

PSB has three seats in the 82-seat state assembly, while DAP has two.

One is held by an independent in Batu Lintang, while GPS has the bulk with 76. – The Vibes, July 17, 2023