KUCHING: Any move by the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) to expand its presence into Peninsular Malaysia should be guided by comprehensive grassroots studies and a clear understanding of local support, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Commenting on PDP’s plan to establish party branches in Selangor and Johor, Abdul Karim said the matter was ultimately for the party’s leadership to decide, but cautioned that political dynamics in Peninsular Malaysia differ greatly from those in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Well, I can’t comment on another political party actually. I’m from PBB. It’s up to our friends in PDP if they want to expand.
“But remember, before you expand, study the groundswell. Study the support on the ground,” he said when fielding questions from reporters at a press conference held at the DUN Complex, here today (May 19).
Abdul Karim pointed to the experience of other regional-based parties attempting to expand beyond their traditional strongholds, noting that such efforts were not always well received.
“We also know there are parties like WARISAN that expanded into Peninsular Malaysia but were not accepted there,” he said.
He stressed that the political landscape in West Malaysia differs from that in Sarawak and Sabah.
“Politics in West Malaysia and politics in Sabah and Sarawak are totally different,” he added.
However, Abdul Karim acknowledged that certain areas in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly Johor, have sizeable Sarawakian communities that could potentially provide some support base.
“Unless you expand in areas where there are many Sarawakians, like in Johor where there is a big concentration of Sarawakians,” he said.
“But if you are to go just for that purpose, I think perhaps it may not be necessary. Still, we leave it to PDP to look into it,” he added.
During its Triennial General Assembly (TGA) 2026, PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the party has broadened its reach into Peninsular Malaysia through the establishment of divisions in Selangor and Johor.
Tiong said the move forms part of the party’s efforts to engage Sarawakians living and working in Peninsular Malaysia while continuing to uphold PDP’s original struggle and objectives.
He said PDP, which was established in 2002 and underwent rebranding in 2017, has continued to grow despite various challenges and transformations over the years.
According to Tiong, the party’s membership has now reached 250,000 members.
