Premier claims unaware of ‘green light’ from GPS for PDP-PSB merger

Abang Jo speaking at the Anglican Christmas Open House event held at St Thomas’s Cathedral Parish Hall in Kuching on Dec 25, 2023.

By Ashley Sim and Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Dec 25: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has made it clear that he is not aware of the claim that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has given the ‘green light’ for its component Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) to merge with Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).

Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman, asserted that two political parties cannot merge, and members of one party can only join the other if the party is dissolved.

“No, I am not aware of it,” he told reporters when met following the Anglican Christmas Open House today at the St Thomas’s Cathedral Parish Hall here.

He continued: “Just wish him (PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh) Merry Christmas.

“If they want to merge, they have to refer to the Registrar of Societies (ROS). One of the parties has to be dissolved, whether it is PSB or PDP.”

Earlier today, national news agency Bernama reported PSB is expected to be disbanded before the Chinese New Year celebration next year and its members will join PDP.

According to the report, PSB deputy president Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa told the media yesterday the disbandment comes after PSB received a “green light” for its members totalling about 80,000 to join PDP en bloc.

He further said party president Wong has informed the matter to him yesterday (Dec 24) and that they will refer to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on the procedure for the dissolution.

It was also reported that PSB will call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to dissolve the party, while PDP will also hold an EGM to accept PSB members into the party.

In the 12th Sarawak State Election in 2021, PSB won only four of the 82 seats contested.

The seats were Bawang Assan won by Wong, Engkilili (Rayong), Ba Kelalan (Baru Bian) and Batu Lintang (See Chee How).

In August last year, See left PSB and became an independent member of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).

Meanwhile, on July 13, PDP president Dato Seri Tiong King Sing and PSB represented by Wong, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signaling the start of the potential PSB-PDP merger. — DayakDaily