KUCHING: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa has shot down speculation that he is leaving Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), categorically stating that there is no truth to such talk.
“I’m one of the founding members of PSB and have been a staunch supporter of the party from its inception,” he said, adding; “I was instrumental in the formation of this party and will never jump ship.”
According to him, other parties had approached him in the past to swap camps, but that he refused to do so.
“As a senior party leader, my priority now is to guarantee that PSB will win several seats during the upcoming 15th general election so that we can provide the greatest service to the people of Sarawak, especially in rural areas,” stressed Rayong, who is also the party’s vice president.
In the 2021 state election, he retained his Engkilili seat but his vote majority slashed by more than half compared to the 2016 state polls.
Recently, talks were widespread that he would be among several other key Dayak leaders to follow his former comrade and Sri Aman MP Datuk Masir Kujat’s footsteps to quit the party.
Masir announced his decision to resign from PSB on March 30 and expressed his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said he made the decision after consulting his supporters in Sri Aman.
“I left PSB after consulting my grassroots supporters and also because of several main factors, among them being national political instability that has affected the national economy, development and people’s well-being.
“I believe the best way forward now is to put aside politics in efforts to stabilise and rebuild the nation,” Masir said.
