Tiong hits out at ‘bullying’ behaviour of party in GPS

 PDP president Tiong King Sing did not name the party, but said PDP would not tolerate being belittled or undermined.

PDP president Tiong King Sing said cooperation in GPS must be grounded in consensus, power-sharing and mutual respect. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Progressive Democratic Party will not tolerate being belittled or undermined by other parties in Gabungan Parti Sarawak, PDP president Tiong King Sing said today, taking a veiled jab at one particular party.

Tiong did not identify the party but said it had displayed such behaviour which, if left unchecked, could strain relations and weaken the ruling state coalition, Dayak Daily reported.

“We will not allow any party within the coalition to belittle, undermine or bully others,” he was quoted as saying. Cooperation within GPS, Tiong added, must be grounded in consensus, power-sharing and mutual respect.

Although he did not name the party, there have been running verbal clashes between leaders of PDP and Sarawak United People’s Party over the years.

Tiong reaffirmed PDP’s continued commitment to GPS and its support for premier Abang Johari Openg, reiterating that political stability remains central to the state’s development agenda.

He also said the party no longer intended to remain “just spectators” within GPS but instead sought a more influential role in shaping the coalition’s key decisions. “We want to be decision-makers. We want every decision to reflect the current political reality and the strength we have today.”

PDP won the state assembly seats of Tasik Biru, Meluan, Krian, Marudi and Dudong in the 2021 state election. The party later gained Bawang Assan, Engkilili and Ba’kelalan following the dissolution of Parti Sarawak Bersatu and the absorption of its members en bloc in April 2024. - FMT