Ex-PKR lawmakers join United Sarawak Party

Two former top Sarawak PKR figures and their supporters have officially joined United Sarawak Party (PSB).

The duo - Selangau MP Baru Bian and Batu Lintang assemblyperson See Chee How - joined PSB in a ceremony today in Kuching.

Up until late-February, Baru was the Sarawak PKR chief while See was the Sarawak PKR vice-chief.

PSB is a Kuching-based opposition party led by Wong Soon Koh, who formed the party after a feud within Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).

In Parliament, PSB now has two MPs - Baru and Masir Kujat (Sri Aman) - that sit with the opposition.

With Baru and See's entry into PSB, the party now has six state assemblypersons - equalling the numbers held by DAP.

Following the state election in 2016, PKR won three seats in the state assembly.

Baru (Ba'kelalan) and Ali Biju (Krian) left the party in late February while See was sacked in April.

Meanwhile, Wong said that Baru and See were "exemplary" lawmakers with a "strong commitment" in their work for the people.

"We had a meeting of minds between (PSB leaders) and (the two lawmakers). It has given us the confidence to work together.

"We are very happy to accept Baru and See into PSB," he said during the ceremony today to welcome the duo.

For the next state election expected next year, Wong said PSB was willing to collaborate with "like-minded" parties to form a coalition to defeat Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Baru acknowledged that he had been asked by supporters why he and See did not form a new party.

He explained that there was not enough time to do so before the next state election and a new party would split the vote further.

"A new party was not necessary after discovering that PSB's aspirations were similar to ours," he said.

Baru said he aspired to see Sarawak become a model state in which every Sarawakian is treated equally regardless of race and religion.

He also wanted natural resources to be maintained responsibly and a clean government free from corruption.

"We are confident with 15 years of experience as a capable finance minister and having held other cabinet portfolios, Wong is in a unique position to steer us in the right direction," he said. - Mkini