PDP-PSB MOU does not involve GPS - Abang Johari

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday does not involve Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg said for the time being, the Sarawak party coalition has not made any decision to collaborate with PSB.

As such, he said a meeting with the coalition component parties will be held soon to discuss the form of cooperation arranged between the two parties.

"Now they (PSB) are having a collaboration with PDP, (so) let it be... We will hold a GPS meeting to hear what the alliance between PSB and PDP is about because, at the moment, it is premature for me (to say).

"It is a collaboration only and not part of GPS, so (the MOU has) nothing to do with GPS. I will discuss with my friends (from the GPS component parties) first," he said.

Abang Johari told this to the media after an MOU signing ceremony between Innocement Sdn Bhd, SCG International and YTL Cement Berhad today.

Yesterday, PSB, which only won three seats in the 2021 state election, announced their support for the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Abang Johari. It signed an MoU with PDP, which is a GPS component party.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari revealed that PSB president Wong Soon Koh had expressed his intention to support GPS during the recent state assembly sitting.

He also informed us that PSB members wish to return to the original party, Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP).

Admitting he is not vindictive, the Sarawak Premier said he would not stand in the way if PSB chose to support GPS.

This was mainly to achieve the objectives of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) to benefit the people and the state.

Abang Johari, however, refused to comment on whether the PSB-PDP collaboration was opposed by the other GPS component parties, namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), SUPP and Parti Rakyat Sarawak.

"At least, they (PSB) have realised their mistake and are now supporting the efforts of the state government," he said.

When asked about PSB's conditions and probability of joining GPS, he said: "We (GPS) have our rules. Let’s wait and see.”

Following the decision made by PSB yesterday, the Sarawak state assembly is now left with two opposition members, namely Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) and Violet Yong (DAP-Pending), out of a total of 82 assemblypersons.

DAP remains the opposition in Sarawak but is part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition at the federal level with GPS, with the formation of the unity government after the 15th general election.

- Bernama