KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s (PSB) decision to accept former leaders of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) is for the “greater good” of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led state government.
“PSB may be seen as the bad guy, so to say. But actually, it is trying to ensure the ruling state government remains stable and united in facing the coming state election in two years’ time,” said a source close to PSB.
Quoting Sri Aman MP Datuk Masir Kujat, the source said, PSB would be a unifying factor for Dayak politics in the future.
“PSB is looking at the situation from a bigger picture that is to stabilise the state government and GPS. We want to make sure that come the next state election, it would not be an opportunity for the PH to take advantage of.
“We cannot take things for granted. These leaders, who are veteran politicians, have their own strong followings. So by accepting them into the party, PSB is trying to contain the problem,” the source added.
PRS information chief Datuk Wilfred Rata Nissom when contacted questioned the move by PSB, although it had all the rights to do so, being an independent party.
“In all honesty, I also cannot see any distinctive political ideology that they (former PRS members) are trying to promote by joining PSB except for the sole purpose to take away seats from PRS.
On whether PRS would be affected by the PSB decision in facing the coming state election, Nissom said that remained to be seen.
“State election is still two years away and between now and then, a lot of things can happen to prevent their dreams from coming to reality,” he added.
