KUCHING, Sept 20: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang calls on PAS not to contest against Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in coming Sarawak election due 2021.
He said if PAS were to be friendly with GPS, the party should not contest against the state’s ruling coalition made up of PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP.
“If at all PAS wants to support us, it is by way of telling its members to rally behind us (GPS) in the coming election and ensure that we win, be it a GPS candidate from SUPP, PRS, PDP or PBB. That would be just fine.
“They (PAS) need not put any candidate or at all if they are sincere in supporting GPS, because GPS is putting its candidate in all the 82 seats that are available,” said Idris in a statement today.
He was responding to Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chief Chong Chieng Jen, who alleged that PBB was in “an unholy alliance with PAS-Umno”, following PBB president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg receiving a courtesy call from PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang during the latter’s visit to Sarawak.
He believed that even if PAS were to contest, it will not win as the party lacks commanding factor.
“With all due respect, PAS may have some support among the Malay-Muslim or even other ethnic groups or even the Chinese community in Sarawak but from our assessment, they do not have the commanding position or factor to win any seat.
“Therefore, it is best that they turn their strength towards supporting our GPS candidates wherever they can,” said Idris.
He also believed that like other Peninsular Malaysia-based parties such as DAP, PKR, Umno, MCA, Bersatu and Amanah, PAS should stay put where it originates, where its politics is relevant.
He said GPS, as a ruling coalition with a clear vision, needed not subordinate itself to any Malayan parties.
“Just like DAP, PKR, UMNO, MCA, Bersatu and Amanah, all of which are semenanjung-based parties, PAS can be significant only in semenanjung (the peninsula).
“Sarawak being multiracially unique and has a lot of its rights under MA63 etc to fight for, only GPS is genuinely and sincerely seen focused to be able to realise that. It does not need to be subordinated or ‘subjugated’ by a semenanjung party boss,” opined Idris. — DayakDaily
