KUCHING, July 16: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should not treat Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) as a political foe but rather as a member of an extended family.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang reminded that PSB, under the leadership of Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, had been a great friend of the state ruling coalition and had faced “cyclones and hurricanes” together for a long time.
However, he agreed with the observation of GPS leaders that some of PSB’s moves might not have been politically sound for the coalition.
“I guess it is not too late for them to make amends and make their pathway clearer to their GPS allies and steer away from the ‘twilight zones’, so as not to be accused of backstabbing friends,” Idris said in a statement.
Echoing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s acknowledgement of Wong’s enormous contributions to the state, he added that Wong had left positive imprints in Sarawakians’ hearts.
“With a genteel and gentleman-like disposition with his Oxbridge-styled conversational English, to me, he is a rare breed of politician,” he opined.
Idris believed Wong’s decision to quit the state cabinet was an honourable decision based on principle and urged fellow GPS lawmakers to give Wong respect where it was due.
The Muara Tuang Assemblyman said that politics, often unpredictable with “changes in weather defining its path”, believed that Wong and PSB could use their experience and wisdom to continue working together with Abang Johari and the GPS-led state government through a mutually amenable formula.
“I always believe that it is better to build bridges or repair them rather than to burn any too soon unless, the bridge can no longer be repaired and only pose an imminent danger to the people,” he said.
PSB, formerly known as United People’s Party, has always maintained itself as friendly to the ruling state government.
Yesterday, Wong announced his resignation as Second Finance Minister and Minister for International Trade and eCommerce.
PSB’s relation with the ruling GPS coalition was rocked by its exclusion from the new list of councillors for local authorities in the state last week.
The party’s former deputy president Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who is also Assistant Transportation Minister, quit PSB last Thursday (July 11). — DayakDaily
