KUCHING, Jan 20: The Sarawak Baru (SB) alliance has yet to receive any invitation of any kind from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which was officially launched last night.
As such, during the alliance’s second meeting last night, there was no discussion about joining GPS. The SB alliance comprises four parties — State Reform Party (Star), Party Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB), Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).
“We have not received any invitation of any kind from GPS to sit down and discuss any form of electoral cooperation.
“So no, we did not discuss (about) joining GPS,” said SB in a joint statement to DayakDaily.
GPS secretary general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi had announced during the unveiling of the GPS logo recently that apart from GPS-friendly Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) led by Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, GPS would also consider the application from other local-based parties such as PBDSB and Star.
Meanwhile, SB said it will work together with other Sarawak parties, NGOs and groups that share its aspirations.
During its second meeting yesterday, SB alliance reiterated its stance in protecting Sarawak’s rights.
It also resolved to confirm its stance on other issues including Sarawak’s territorial rights and religious freedom.
“SB is consistent and unwavering in its pursuit of safeguarding and protecting Sarawak rights, especially with respect to our Sarawak Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) in retaining internal sovereignty over our oil and gas, Sarawak Land Code and safeguarding of Native Customary Land including ‘Pemakai Menoa’ and ‘Pulau Galau’, and immigration powers.”
“SB will zealously guard and protect Sarawak’s territorial integrity and religious freedom to the absolute, with no quarter spared.
“SB seeks cooperation with other Sarawak political parties, NGOs and like-minded groups who share the same dedication, determination and allegiance to a better future for Sarawak.”
SB which was mooted in response to the challenges facing by Sarawak parties following the change of federal government in May last year reiterated its role and commitment to perform as “the check-and-balance Sarawak force and effective opposition to both Pakatan Harapan at the federal level and Gabungan Parti Sarawak at the state level.
The meeting was attended by key party officials representing their respective parties including Star president Lina Soo, SWP president Munan Laja and deputy president of PBDSB Patrick Anek Uren. — DayakDaily
