KUCHING: It is irrelevant for Sarawak to answer Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
This was emphasised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Idris said, “Tun Mahathir was mainly addressing it to the Malays in Malaya in the light of political developments there… Maybe Sabah too… But not Sarawak.
“By and large, the Malay and Melanau as well as the Dayak community in Sarawak are well represented by PBB and its Sarawak Coalition Party (GPS) partners. The political history, culture and struggle of PBB or GPS in Sarawak are uniquely different from that of United Malays National Organisation (Umno), Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Parti Amanah Negara (PAN), Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), etc, in Malaya.
“The degree of tolerance, mutual respect and trust has reached a very matured level in PBB or GPS coalition and with ‘Sarawak First’ being the spirit now, we are solidly united. Therefore, it is irrelevant for us to answer the call to join Bersatu.
“However, I believe PBB in particular would welcome any Sarawak Bumiputera who shares the same principle to fight for the people of Sarawak sincerely and wholeheartedly from the non-GPS parties to join PBB instead,” he stated.
Idris said this in response to a recent statement by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on inviting Malay political parties including United Malays National Organisation (Umno) to join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) so as to unite the Malays.
The Bersatu chairman said that he found more and more Malay parties being formed which reduced the potential of Malay parties to win election.
