Support from PSB is no surprise, says Abang Jo citing ‘good policies’

Abang Johari Openg said GPS will be meeting soon to discuss Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s memorandum of understanding with the Progressive Democratic Party, a GPS component.

PETALING JAYA: The move by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) to support the state government has come as no surprise to Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg.

He said he believes that the party has finally realised its mistake in opposing the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition.

Abang Johari added that GPS components would be willing to accept PSB members if they want to return to their original parties, provided they follow the relevant rules.

“Definitely, (I foresaw them supporting GPS) because our policies are good. When our policies are good, eventually, people will realise (they should support us).

“At least they realise their mistake. They realise that we have delivered. I don’t hold any grudges,” he told reporters at the sidelines of an event in Kuching.

The GPS chairman said the coalition will be meeting soon to discuss PSB memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a GPS component.

He also did not expect the other GPS components, namely the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) to have any issues over PDP and PSB’s MoU.

“I must be sincere. If people want to support me, let it be, because it benefits everyone.

“But the MoU doesn’t involve GPS. It’s a separate matter. Nothing to do with GPS,” Abang Johari said.

He also pointed out that PSB’s support did not mean it would be roped into the state government because his state Cabinet was already filled.

Yesterday, PSB president Wong Soon Koh stated his party’s support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Abang Johari “in the spirit of unity”.

But Wong sidestepped queries on whether he would step down as state opposition leader, simply saying that “time will tell”.

Wong served as Sarawak’s second finance minister for 15 years. He was formerly a member of SUPP but was sacked in 2014.

PSB contested against GPS in the 2021 Sarawak elections and won four out of the 82 seats it contested. It currently has three seats after Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How left the party last year.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said GPS will help Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the elections taking place in six states on Aug 12.

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However, he said GPS had yet to decide on how it will lend its support to its partners in the unity government.

“We are helping, but in what way we haven’t decided. That is what we (GPS) want to discuss.” - FMT