SRI AMAN: The battle line looks to have been drawn.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) will be going all out to win the majority seats come the 12th State Election.
In other words, PSB is aiming at toppling the state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Partinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
That seems to be the message PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh issued when he addressed a “Ngiling Bidai Gawai” ceremony organised by PSB Simanggang branch at the Sri Aman Civic Centre yesterday.
“The freedom to contest in many seats ahead of the upcoming state election is one of the reasons why PSB chose to quit the state government.
“If PSB joined GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak), we would have to fight for the distribution of seats with Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).
“Therefore, it is better to be outside of GPS where we are free to contest for any number of seats,” said Wong.
Wong revealed that in his recent courtesy call on the chief minister he had told the GPS chairman that PBS’ decision to stay out of the coalition meant “we are free to make decisions and this is what we had discussed in a courtesy call…last Thursday”.
Wong said he also told the chief minister that the people of Sarawak should determine which elected representative and party could work harder for them.
“PSB is a Sarawakian party and it strives (to carry out) the development of the rural areas in Sarawak.
“We will serve the people of Sarawak regardless of race, religion and culture, especially the Dayak community,” he said.
Of that courtesy call, Wong was quoted as saying: “I came here (today) to have a courtesy call on the Chief Minister and we had a very good discussion. And, of course I cannot reveal what was being discussed.”
“But I can tell you we remain the best of friends”, he was quoted as saying as he described Abang Johari as a ‘mentor’ and “pledged his support to him in the service to the people of Sarawak”.
He was further quoted as saying, “I, as president of PSB, would do everything to help the Chief Minister to work hard for the people and the state of Sarawak.”
