By Peter Sibon and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 24: Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil has been accepted unanimously into Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg confirmed this at a press conference after the PBB Supreme Council meeting at the party headquarters at Jalan Bako, here, today.
The chief minister said it was a unanimous decision reached by PBB following his application to join the party.
Dr Jerip quit Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) on July 11, reasoning that he has confidence in GPS to bring development to rural constituencies.
PSB, formerly known as United People’s Party (UPP), is not part of the GPS coalition, although the party declared itself as GPS-friendly.
Following his resignation from PSB, it was rumoured that Dr Jerip had applied to join PBB as the party has a strong footing in Mambong, which was formerly known as Bengoh.
However, Dr Jerip who is also Assistant Minister of Transport, has been advised to rejoin Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), as Mambong seat was traditionally allocated to the party.
Dr Jerip first contest in the Bengoh state constituency in 2001 under SUPP ticket but left the party in 2014 to form a breakaway UPP which has been rebranded as PSB.
In another surprising turn of events, he left PSB just before the last Cabinet reshuffle announced on Aug 22 this year and has been reappointed as Assistant Minister of Transport in the GPS-led government.
Dr Jerip cannot be reached for comment when contacted. — DayakDaily
