SIBU: The setting up of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) branches statewide especially in the rural areas is to compliment the government’s effort to uplift the living standard of the rural populace.
This was how the party president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh explained why PSB which was formerly known as United People’s Party (UPP), chose to penetrate the rural areas in the Bawang Assan constituency during a Pre-Gawai Dayak gathering yesterday.
“Our party main focus is to move to as many areas as possible to serve the people. UPP was narrower based as it covered only the urban areas whereas PSB is both urban and rural centric in its set up.
“I know that there are political parties everywhere in the rural areas such as PBB, PRS, PDP, SUPP, Pribumi Bersatu and even PH. This is a democratic country. We want to serve as many people as we can and we try to complement one another to serve the people better,” he added.
Wong who is also Second Finance Minister and International Trade and E-Commerce Minister said since PSB was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg in December, 2018, it had received encouraging response from the rural populace.
The party had set up branches in rural areas such as Engkilili, Kanowit, Bakong, Marudi, Saratok, Selangau, Kapit, Samalaju and Krian.
Citing Bawang Assan as an example where he is the assemblyman, Wong said he had allocated 80 per cent of the minor rural project funds to the area for the building of infrastructure facilities to improve the living standard of the people.
Wong said he was also aware that SUPP and PDP had attacked him in the social media by saying that he should step down as he is an “old man” now.
“In the social media, SUPP has advertised its candidate for Bawang Assan. PBB has also said its candidate is more winnable and should stand in the seat in the next state election,” he said.
On the last 14th general election, Wong said an analysis needed to be conducted to determine why 95 per cent of the urban voters and 40 per cent of the rural voters had voted for Pakatan Harapan.
“We need to work very hard now not only to win back the urban voters but also rural voters,” he added.
Meanwhile, chairman of PSB Bawang Assan Bumiputera Unit, Andrew Shilling said Dayaks in the constituency wanted Wong to defend his seat in the upcoming state election.
“People are saying in the social media that Wong is an Ah Pek (old man) and should retire from politics. Don’t believe in that because even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is 93 years old can still become the Prime Minister. Since Wong is just 77 years old, he is strong and can still continue to be active in politics,” he said.
