By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, March 23: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) secretary-general Datuk Nelson Balang Rining today joined the chorus for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to exterminate the `termites’ infesting the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) now.
When contacted by DayakDaily today, he said since the `termites’ had been identified, the time to get rid of them was now because “like cancer cells, they have to be removed soonest possible before they spread to the whole body”.
In the last two days, leaders like Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth leader Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting called on the `termites’ to pack their bags, now.
Balang, a former Ba Kelalan assemblyman, also agree with University Malaya Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi’s suggestion for Abang Johari to reshuffle his cabinet soon.
Awang Azman was reported as saying today that such a move would ensure Abang Johari’s cabinet is streamlined and strengthen in order to retain the current 72 seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly or, better still, snatch a few seats from Pakatan Harapan come the next state polls due in 2021.
Awang Azman added that the use of the word `termite’ in his strongly worded comment in Marudi on March 20 meant that Abang Johari was no longer able to tolerate those who undermined the four-party alliance in GPS.
Meanwhile, PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) was being hypocritical when, on one hand, it pledged loyalty to the Chief Minister while, on the other hand, stirred up trouble in GPS.
“If PSB was sincere in their pledge of loyalty, they should be helping the Chief Minister to consolidate unity in GPS instead of sowing disunity by accepting former GPS component party members within their ranks, knowing full well these people will be going against GPS component parties in the election.
“They (PSB) are saying one thing and doing another thing,” he said in a statement today.
Tiong said PSB was also trying to side-track the issue when it recently said that no PDP member had crossed over to their side.
“I never accused PSB of pinching our members, and even if they tried, they would not succeed as PDP leaders have no interest in joining a party outside GPS. As for former leaders or members, it is up to them because nobody can stop them from joining whichever party they want to. It is their democratic right.
“It’s also PSB’s right to accept whoever has the interest to join their party, but don’t overdo it,” Tiong emphasised.
Tiong cautioned that the people could see through the ploy of PSB in working against GPS, while at the same time declaring they are fully supporting the Chief Minister.
“PSB must stop taking the people of Sarawak for a ride and stop pretending they want to work with the Chief Minister while at the same time challenging the component parties within GPS,” he said.
If PSB is really sincere, he advised, it should seek a way to find common ground to work with GPS instead of challenging the authority of the Chief Minister by undermining the stability of the coalition he is leading. — DayakDaily
