KUCHING: The continuous announcement by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and its newfound ally, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) on their candidates for numerous seats illustrate how insincere they are in really wanting to unite the opposition votes against Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
According to Michael Kong Feng Nian, the special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, the opposition parties would clash with the DAP in Sibu, Lanang and Mas Gading parliamentary seats.
“These are seats currently held by DAP MPs. Such a move is a sign that PSB has no intention to cooperate with DAP but instead to fight DAP head-on,” he said in a statement yesterday (Sept 19).
Kong also noted that DAP had on a few occasions embarked on negotiations with PSB in hope of forming a greater opposition front against GPS.
“While PSB claims DAP’s stance (that incumbent seats are non-negotiable) would mean all urban seats are DAP’s, that narrative is simply untrue. Many other urban and semi-urban seats in Sarawak are currently not held by DAP.
“Seats like Bintulu is very much urban seat formerly fought by DAP but DAP had always been magnanimous to agree to negotiate the seat provided that PSB is sincere and agrees to the same principles as DAP; which is to push for a clean and competent government,” he said.
Kong also said that the recent events leave much to be desired as many members of the public lament the inability to cooperate but they also understand that in this constant quest to challenge DAP’s incumbent seats, the unreasonable party is PSB and not DAP.
“As long as the main decisions for PSB continue to be made by Wong Soon Koh, I am afraid the hope of a larger and more formidable opposition to bring the fight to GPS will remain a dream.
“One fact that remains distinctive is that DAP is the only party that continues to work and carry on the fight despite the results of the 12th Sarawak state election.
“Since the elections, many members of the public have pointed out how these other parties (PSB, PBK, Aspirasi) are never seen in the constituency or attending to any issues,” he stressed.
