KUCHING: The merger of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) will not have as much impact as expected on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
According to political analyst Dr Ammar Redza Ahmad Rizal, GPS currently enjoys strong support from Sarawakians, thanks to the decisive actions of its leader, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in the realm of politics and governance.
Dr Ammar stated that GPS has been able to fulfil its promises, particularly those related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“All of this has happened without the presence of PSB. GPS has transitioned from local politics to national politics,” he said.
“Therefore, as PSB dissolves into PDP, the politicians from PSB are the ones who benefit the most. This provides them with a lifeline,” he recently told New Sarawak Tribune when asked to comment on PSB joining PDP before the upcoming Chinese New Year in February next year.
Dr Ammar added that PDP will also benefit from the merger as it will be able to expand its influence in areas that were previously under the control of PSB.
“Their lineup of politicians is also improving. PSB has many talented and well-known individuals, which will enhance PDP’s reputation within GPS and the broader context of Sarawakian politics,” he said.
He further explained that the merger between PSB and PDP will have an impact on GPS’s grassroots politics.
Recalling the 11th State Election, he mentioned that several local leaders of GPS were able to diminish PSB’s influence as a Sarawakian nationalist party and secure state seats.
“Now, the question arises: What will the top leaders of GPS do when the time comes to select the next candidate in the election?” he said.
“It is also interesting to see how the Registrar of Societies (ROS) will react to the idea of PSB’s dissolution. What will happen to their MPs? Will there be another by-election? This is another aspect worth observing,” he added.
On December 23, PSB deputy president Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa stated that the party was expected to dissolve before Chinese New Year, with its members collectively joining the PDP.
Rayong mentioned that party president Wong informed him that they had received the “green light” to join PDP.
However, Rayong clarified that PSB would first need to dissolve before its 80,000 members across Sarawak could join PDP as a whole.
PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing later urged PDP members to prepare for the influx of new members from PSB.
Meanwhile, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg refuted claims that GPS had granted the “green light” for PSB to join PDP.
“I am not sure where they received the green light from, but it was not from GPS because we haven’t had our meeting yet,” Abang Johari was quoted as saying.
