By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Feb 26: Now that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has approved United People’s Party (UPP)’s name change to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), some quarters are hoping that they would apply to join Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), as it is a GPS-friendly party.
When DayakDaily posed this sentiment to GPS secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi today, he replied, “GPS will discuss the matter if PSB submits its application”.
UPP, a splinter group from Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), applied to the RoS for a change of name last December after its Extraordinary Delegates’ Conference (EDC). A local daily reported today that the RoS has given its nod.
Meanwhile, on a related issue, Nanta said the GPS’ roadshow would cover all 15 zones in the state to promote the new coalition, which comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
“So far, so good. We will go on a roadshow to promote our new coalition to our supporters,” he said.
Zone 1 has already been covered, on Jan 26. This zone comprises Satok, Samariang, Tupong, Lemak Laut, Pantai Damai and Tanjung Dato.
Nanta, who is PBB secretary-general and Kapit MP, revealed that PBB is growing from strength to strength with many new membership applications, especially from youths. PBB currently has over 300,000 registered members.
On Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM)’s acceptance into Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak, Nanta said it was expected as the party is led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohmad and the party is the backbone of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
“This is a democratic country. But at the same time, it is better for Sarawak to be governed by local-based coalition GPS as we will protect the rights of the state under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).”
Meanwhile, the PSB top leadership could not be reached for comments. — DayakDaily
