KUCHING, Dec 3: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan believes the entry of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) into Sarawak is a “power check” within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
In a statement today, he opined that the purpose of Bersatu entering Sarawak was to gain parliamentary seats here.
“In fact, it won’t be far wrong to opine that Bersatu is actually searching for an equitable and probable ‘power check’ within the PH coalition itself as they have fewer seats in Parliament as compared to PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and DAP (Democratic Action Party).
“Thus, they wish to spread their wings to Sarawak as their next option, hoping to intrude into more parliamentary constituencies here.
“They are doing this probably because they failed to ‘lure’ Umno MPs to jump ship and make up the numbers,” said Snowdan, who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman and Youth and Sports Assistant Minister.
Snowdan said that Bersatu did not receive the ‘expected reception’ in Malaya during the last GE14 as compared to its partners, like PKR and DAP.
“So, they spread their wings to Sarawak, trying their luck as a ‘means to meet their ends’. That, I believe, is their strategy and approach, but it is not difficult to read anyway.
“In fact, there are lots of protests expressing dislike towards their entry into Sarawak, via banners. The low attendance is a testimony of objections to their launching in Bintulu on Saturday.
“They claimed that their coming (to Sarawak) is due to requests by Sarawakians, but I doubt that,” said Snowdan.
Stating his belief that Bersatu would not pose a real threat to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Snowdan said, “GPS has become a more solid coalition after its registration recently.”
On Bersatu launching its Sarawak Chapter in Bintulu, Snowdan said that was because the party was targeting the oil and gas resources in Bintulu.
“I am sceptical why they launched in Bintulu instead of other bigger towns, such as Kuching, Miri or Sibu, where there is a bigger concentration of people,” he said.
Besides targetting the “black gold”, Bintulu is an industrial hub and a probable financial asset that, strategically, would be an ideal location to capitalise on economic and business ventures, taking advantage of the existing and growing industry and foreign direct investment presence in Samalajau and the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score), he reckoned.
On GPS, of which PRS is a coalition partner, Snowdan said the welfare of the people was its main agenda.
“Nonetheless, we must not take matters lightly. We must not be overconfident. There are always challenges ahead.
“We will remain vigilant and continue to serve our rakyat with dedication, be people-centric and ensure that their welfare is taken care of. That is our main agenda,” said Snowdan. — DayakDaily
