Tiong open to PDP-PRS merger

 

PDP president Tiong King Sing says the first move must come from PRS based on its ‘vision and mission’.

KUALA LUMPUR: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Tiong King Sing is open to a merger with Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), but says it is ultimately up to the latter.

Tiong said anyone is free to suggest a merger, but PRS has to make a decision based on its “vision and mission”.

“For us (PDP), our door is always open,” he told reporters at an event here today.

The tourism, arts and culture minister also emphasised the broader objective of such alliances, namely to work as a team to develop the nation and Sarawak.

He was asked to comment on a suggestion by Julau MP Larry Sng about a potential merger between PDP and PRS, which Sng said will strengthen the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and the “Dayak cause”.

Sng’s proposal comes weeks after the dissolution of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and the en bloc acceptance of its members into PDP.

Last week, an analyst told FMT that major parties in GPS would oppose any merger between PDP and PRS that would result in a united Dayak front.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu and the Sarawak United People’s Party would oppose any such merger so as to maintain their dominant positions in the state.

Chin also said a PDP-PRS merger would face opposition from their own members as it would trigger a fight over the president’s post. - FMT