Absorption of PSB reps not about claiming seats, says PDP No. 2

KUCHING (Sept 30): The absorption of three Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) elected representatives into Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) earlier this year is not meant to claim their seats but to preserve Sarawak’s political stability, said Dato Henry Harry Jinep.

The PDP deputy president said when it comes to the distribution of seats in an election, the matter is decided by Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) top leadership and not by PDP.

“The initial understanding with the PSB elected representatives was that, when they joined PDP, it was not about seats but rather about bringing harmony Sarawak so that there is no more politicking.

“True enough, do you hear too much politicking now?” the Tasik Biru assemblyman told reporters when met at an event here today.

The three PSB elected representatives who joined PDP upon its dissolution are Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan), Baru Bian (Ba Kelalan), and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili).

Wong was appointed as PDP senior vice president, while Baru and Rayong were made vice presidents.

Bawang Assan and Engkilili are seats traditionally contested by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), while PDP has been contesting Ba Kelalan in past elections.

Apart from Tasik Biru, Bawang Assan, Ba Kelalan and Engkilili, PDP holds four other seats: Dudong via its president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Meluan (Roland Duat), Krian (Friday Belik), and Marudi (Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil).

Meanwhile, Henry – also state Transport Deputy Minister – said PDP’s current membership will only be known after its Triennial General Assembly in 2027 when new membership applications are approved.

He also said the party would be eyeing new seats should the Election Commission decide to conduct a redelineation exercise on Sarawak’s electoral boundaries.

“But it’s premature to talk about this now,” he said.