KUCHING, July 26: The yet-to-be-registered local pact Sarawak Baru made an interesting stand today. On one hand, the coalition intends to contest in all 82 constituencies in the state polls due in 2021, but on the other hand, it did not rule out working with the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for “the greater good of Sarawak”.
Sarawak Baru currently comprises Sarawak State Reform Party (STAR), Sarawak Workers Party (SWP), Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras). All are Sarawak-based parties.
STAR president Lina Soo revealed that Sarawak Baru wanted a one-on-one fight during the state polls. This means it has to take on GPS. On top of that, there is also Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) to contend with. Sarawak PH is also expected to gun for all 82 seats, especially now that PH controls Putrajaya.
In any case, Sarawak Baru has yet to form an organisational structure; thus they have not submitted their application to the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
Soo claimed that feedback from Sarawakians on social media towards Sarawak Baru had been “very positive”.
“I believe most of them were disappointed and felt they have been duped into voting for Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is now the federal government.
“The federal government has not been fulfilling most of its promises as stated in their manifesto,” she told a press conference here this morning.
On working with GPS, Soo said it remained a possibility because GPS was also a fully Sarawak-based coalition and shared almost a similar goal — to fight for the state’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“As long as GPS is free from the federal government’s bind,” Soo emphasised.
In addition, Soo said Sarawak Baru aimed to be an alternative coalition of Sarawak-based parties, especially to GPS. — DayakDaily
