Tiong expects PDP-PSB merger to be finalised by Dec

 

The merger between Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) is expected to be finalised by December this year, said Tiong King Sing.

The PDP president urged his party’s top brass to work together with PSB to move forward and serve the public sincerely.

“I hope to target both parties can merge in December. If we are serious and working together for the sake of people… before the end of the year, we merge together.

“And we can perform and serve better the people of Sarawak, especially the government of Sarawak (under the leadership of) Premier Abang Johari Openg, give the full support,” he was quoted as saying by The Borneo Post.

Tiong (above), who is the tourism, arts and culture minister, was speaking at the PDP-PSB Unity Dinner in Sibu, Sarawak on Saturday.

PSB president Wong Soon Koh, who also attended, said both parties would establish a high-level committee soon to fine-tune matters related to the merger, such as their constitutions.

The Bawang Assan assemblyperson added that Tiong would be the president of the merged entity and his own position would be determined later.

No decision yet by GPS

PSB on July 13 pledged support for Abang Johari as well as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the “spirit of unity”.

The party expressed its support after both Tiong and Wong signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

However, Abang Johari said the MOU signed did not involve Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Abang Johari, who is also the GPS chairperson, said for the time being, the Sarawak party coalition has not made any decision to collaborate with PSB.

He also 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.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg

Following the decision made by PSB, the 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.

PDP has five seats in the state and is a member of the GPS coalition. PSB is part of the opposition and has three seats in the state assembly.

Without PDP’s support, GPS has 76 out of 82 seats in the state assembly.

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. - Mkini