I join PSB because it is truly multi-racial and can unite all races: Masir
KUCHING: A serving Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) MP Datuk Masir Kujat has quit the party to join Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
He was joined by two other former PRS big guns, former MPs Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun (Selangau) and Datuk William Nyallau Badak (Lubok Antu).
Also on the gravy train were Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) official Banyi Beriak and former Marudi assemblyman and assistant minister Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran.
Entulu and Nyallau were not picked by PRS to defend their seats in May 9 General Elections while Entri was dropped by his then party Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (now Progressive Democratic Party-PDP) in the last state election.
Today the new comers were hosted to a luncheon by PSB leaders led by its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh at the Sarawak Club here. Also present were PSB deputy president Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and secretary-general George Lo.
It was learned that their application to join PSB, submitted sometime last week, had already been approved and the luncheon yesterday was to welcome them.
Masir’s shocking decision further reduced PRS’ MP seats to just two, having lost Selangau, Lubok Antu and Julau on May 9 last year.
The decision by Entulu and Nyallau, however, did not come as a surprise as they were among the five PRS prominent figures who were sacked for open defiance of party leadership.
Also joining PSB are mostly former members and local leaders of PRS namely Richard Wil Uban, Datuk Kristoffer Nyuak Bajok, Raymond Bullie, Vivien Nyut Nasat, Assan Ngang, Ali Adap, Andrew Lamit, Edward Kurik, Andrew Winston Kaya, Penghulu Michael Derin and Patrick Sibat Sujang.
PSB was formerly known as United People’s Party (UPP). The party, which changed its name following a rebranding exercise, is not a component of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
However, it is a GPS-friendly party with some of its leaders holding portfolios in the state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Meanwhile, speaking on his decision to join PSB, Masir said: “My reason is that I believe PSB is a truly multi-racial party and can unite all races in Sarawak. PSB is an independent local-based party that can speak up for all Sarawakians, irrespective of race or religious belief.”
He said as a Dayak leader and MP, he believed PSB will be the party best placed to champion Dayak rights and to unite all of them in Sarawak.
He also expressed full agreement with the stand of PSB leaders to pledge full support and loyalty to the Chief Minister.
