DAP calls off cooperation with PSB, cites possible defection

 

SARAWAK POLLS | Sarawak DAP has called off possible cooperation with PSB, citing concerns that the latter may join forces with GPS post-elections.

State DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen said there may even be the possibility of defections.

"Their intentions are already clear that they only want to be the government. It's highly likely even if some of their candidates win there is a high possibility of crossovers or even the party-switching positions

"As such, any seats given to PSB may just be a friendly match between PSB and GPS, see who win lah, then they will go back together.

"That's the situation, the main factor behind the breakdown of the whole negotiations," Chong said at a press conference in Sibu today.

PSB, formerly known as UPP, was previously aligned to BN.

Most of their current assemblyperson had contested as BN direct candidates in 2016.

PSB was left out of GPS when the new coalition was set up to replace BN following the 2018 general election but remained aligned to the state government.

That was until 2019 when PSB went independent.

With cooperation off the table, DAP is now looking to unseat PSB president Wong Soon Koh.

They will be fielding Amy Lau, the special assistant to Sibu MP Oscar Ling in Wong's Bawang Assan seat.

They are also challenging PSB for the Dudong seat, fielding Paul Ling Fong, the former assistant of late Sarawak DAP chief Wong Ho Leng.

Ling will also be going against PDP president Tiong King Sing.

DAP had previously held off announcing candidates in Sibu while talks with PSB were still ongoing.

Besides concerns over PSB defecting, Chong also said there was a lack of sincerity from the former.

"We have shown our utmost sincerity to avoid clashes with PSB until now, but I think our gesture was not reciprocated," he said.

 - Mkini