KUCHING: The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) will leave the decision on seat allocations for the next state election to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership, opting not to assert any claims, says PDP deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.
He noted that the party’s initial understanding with the former Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) assemblymen—Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan), Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili), and Baru Bian (Ba’Kelalan)—was not about seat negotiations but rather fostering harmony in Sarawak.
“We will leave discussions about the seats to the GPS leadership. We don’t have the right to claim seats; our focus is on ensuring a more peaceful Sarawak,” said Henry during an interview following the Etiquette Workshop for Journalists 2024 organised by Pertubuhan Wartawan Bebas Kuching (Pewarta) today (Sept 30).
He clarified that while PDP currently has eight representatives following the dissolution of PSB, election seat distribution will be a separate matter, adding that no discussions have taken place yet regarding seat arrangements involving PDP and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP). “Not yet. Be patient first,” he said.
Henry further remarked that GPS’ main priority for the next state election is to defend the seats it contests.
On the upcoming redelineation exercise in Sarawak, he mentioned that PDP has identified potential areas for new state seats but no formal discussions have been held yet.
“We only ‘teropong’ (scoped) the potential seats, and have not discussed it yet,” he said.
