KUCHING: The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) to work together does not come as a surprise as it is something ‘predictable’.
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said he had been cautioned against PSB’s agenda, especially when the latter contested as a local ‘opposition’ party during the 12th state election in 2021.
“It is not a surprise. In fact, my prediction has come true; that PSB will only last as an opposition party in Sarawak for one election (term),” he said.
He said the MoU between the two parties showed that PSB was merely an ‘offshoot’ of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which would eventually return or re-join the state ruling coalition.
Chong, who is also the Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, said even if the two parties did not merge, PSB would be expected to continue ‘disguising as an opposition’, thereby splitting the opposition votes.
“But, I strongly believe that Sarawak voters might buy into the PSB’s opposition narrative once but not a second time.
“Anyway, to (PSB president) Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and his party comrades who have applied to join GPS, I wish them well,” he added.
As for DAP, Chong assured that the party will stay steadfast as the opposition in the Sarawak state legislative assembly to provide the necessary checks and balance srequired to safeguard the interest of the people in Sarawak.
In the last state election, Sarawak DAP and PSB had gone against each other after failing to reach a consensus on seat negotiations despite several rounds of discussions.
PSB won four seats; however, it was left with three after Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How quit the party and declared himself an independent.
Meanwhile, DAP has two seats in the state assembly, namely Padungan and Pending.
