PDP-PSB MoU does not involve GPS - Abang Johari

KUCHING - The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) that took place yesterday does not involve the participation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

For the time being, he said GPS has not made any decision to collaborate with PSB, and as such, a meeting with the coalition component parties will be held soon to discuss in detail the form of cooperation that has been 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 collaboration between PSB and PDP is about because at the moment, it is premature for me.

"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 told 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 Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Abang Johari and signed an MoU with PDP which is a GPS component party.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari revealed that during the recent state assembly sitting PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh had expressed his intention to support GPS and informed that there are members who wish to return to the original party, Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP).

Admitting that he is not a vindictive person, the Sarawak Premier said he would not stand in the way if PSB chose to support GPS, especially to achieve the objectives of the post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) for the benefit of 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 on the conditions and probability of PSB 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 assemblymen.

DAP remains the opposition in Sarawak but is part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition at the federal level together with GPS, with the formation of the Unity Government after the 15th general election. - Bernama