By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, March 8: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) today welcomed the move by GPS chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to discuss the party-hopping issue among the four component parties.
PRS secretary-general Dato Janang Bungsu said the discussion would ensure GPS would be able to consolidate itself.
The issue cropped up after PRS vice president cum Sri Aman MP Datuk Masit Kujat quit PRS and joined Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) yesterday.
“We are very happy with CM’s response and his willingness to resolve this teething issues once and for all. We would also like to thank him for his genuine concerns and looking forward to the discussion so that GPS will be strengthened and the rakyat’s interest will be upheld.
“Let us focus on developing the people and the beloved land of Sarawak rather than politicking by jumping to another party and creating a new party. Sad that the Dayaks are in 16 parties,” Janang told DayakDaily here today.
Janang was commenting on the Chief Minister’s statement today that he (Abang Johari) would discuss and engage partners in GPS first before addressing the issue of politicians switching allegiance from one party to the other.
“Let me talk to our GPS partners first… we must look after ourselves,” Abang Johari told reporters after officiating at the Sin Chew Education Fair 2019.
Janang reiterated that PRS agreed to discuss the issue and act based on the principle of GPS.
“The recent development in Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) contradicts with their statement.
“You (PSB) are not in GPS, but you are in the state government. You told people that you are GPS-friendly, but you are undermining a GPS component party and that you have become the unfriendly party to GPS.
“Why should you remain in the cabinet? Why should GPS allow ‘musuh dalam selimut’ (thorn in the flesh).
“They should not be in the government if they are not friendly to GPS component parties. After all, they were never in GPS. BN era is over and now GPS must get rid of it right from the beginning. GPS should begin with the right footing. Unhealthy inheritance must be discarded to keep GPS’ house in order. GPS must have the political will to do so,” he stressed.
Janang also rebutted PSB’ press statement issued last night that PRS had demanded that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president to sack PSB leaders in his cabinet because of ex-PRS members and one MP had decided to join PSB.
“In fact, what I said was for GPS, and not PBB, to act fast. Action must be taken against PSB big bosses. Cut off their funding (RTP), ministerial positions, pol secs (political secretaries to the Chief Minister) and councillors,” said Janang.
He also warned PSB that PRS would veto its entry into GPS as it had undermined the coalitions’ strength.
“We have been very accommodating to them. With this latest move by PSB, there is no way we will support its entry into GPS,” added Janang. — DayakDaily
