KUCHING, March 20: Assistant Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil expressed disagreement with the idea of welcoming Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin into the state-ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Dr Jerip said the idea of welcoming Willie to join GPS was only a personal statement by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Abdullah Saidol and not a GPS policy.
“As far as PBB is concerned, Puncak Borneo is a PBB seat and PBB has many winnable candidates. We are strengthening our grassroot support and we are confident to wrestle the seat,” Dr Jerip, who is also Mambong assemblyman, said when contacted.
Abdullah on March 13, said Willie, together with Saratok MP Ali Biju and Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, are welcomed to join GPS.
However, he said the state ruling coalition has yet to extend an invitation to the trio to join GPS, adding that they can come if they are interested, but of course subject to consensus of presidents from GPS component parties.
Willie, when contacted, said he has not made any decision whether to join GPS.
Dr Jerip was deputy president of opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) before he left the party to join PBB. Previously, PSB was friendly to GPS and Dr Jerip, together with party president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, were part of the state cabinet.
On a separate note, Dr Jerip said the people in the constituency should take serious on the movement control order (MCO).
“No more public functions and no more social gatherings. One of the ways to prevent further spread is to avoid public places and practice good hygiene.
“Also, do wash your hands and wear masks if you are going out and once you suspect yourself to have the (virus) symptoms, immediately quarantine yourself,” Dr Jerip said. — DayakDaily
