Dissolution of Sarawak BN a move to block Harapan, says DAP

DAP national vice-chairperson Chow Kon Yeow said the dissolution of the BN in Sarawak and formation of a new coalition there was a move to pre-empt Pakatan Harapan from taking over Sarawak in the 2021 state elections.

Chow said the new coalition of four local parties - PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP - named Gabungan Parti Sarawak, may be preparing their grounds to be aligned to Harapan.

Although there will be a realignment of political forces in the coming state elections, Chow said the local Harapan leaders are cautious about the move.

"Our colleagues in Sarawak have very strong views about BN-based parties joining Harapan as they have been fighting these opponents for such a long time," Chow, who is Penang chief minister, said when asked to comment on the dissolution.

"Our members in Sarawak have the opinion that the decision by these parties to form a new coalition is to take advantage of Harapan's federal power," he told reporters at Komtar in George Town today.

"The new coalition may want to work together with us in the state elections," quipped the Penang DAP chief.

The decision to dissolve BN and form a new coalition was announced by Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg at a press conference in Kuching today.

Abang Jo, who also happens to be Sarawak BN chief, said all four parties unanimously decided on the move due to the current political development, post-GE14.

In the May 9 general election, BN won 19 out of the 31 parliamentary seats it contested in Sarawak, while DAP grabbed six, PKR four, and independents, two.

Chow said the Harapan leaders in Sarawak have "very strong sentiments" to decline working with the new coalition.

"They have very strong sentiments not to accept or work with BN parties that want to be close to Harapan in the coming state elections," Chow said.

"We allow our Sarawakian counterparts to address these issues. The national Harapan leadership will also look into it," he added. - Mkini