SIBU: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh remained tight-lipped about the outcomes of the PSB Extraordinary Delegates Conference (EDC) held here yesterday (Feb 17).
Wong, seen with approximately 400 members at the venue, declined to comment to reporters.
Meanwhile, a notice sent to PSB’s advisors, branch chairmen, and delegates on Feb 1 indicated that PSB was expected to propose a resolution to dissolve the party at today’s EDC.
The party members were rumoured to be planning to join the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) en bloc upon their disbandment.
On Feb 16, PSB Bawang Assan Bumiputera Unit chairman Andrew Shilling encouraged bumiputera members to apply to join PDP.
Andrew said that a total of 300 applications, mainly from PSB Bumiputera members, to join PDP had been received so far.
“All these forms will be submitted at the PSB Extraordinary Delegates Conference tomorrow (18 Feb),” he said.
In the 12th Sarawak State Election in 2021, PSB secured four of the 82 seats contested: Bawang Assan (Wong), Engkelili (Dr. Johnical Rayong Ngipa), Ba’kelalan (Baru Bian), and Batu Lintang (See Chee How).
In August 2022, See left PSB to become an independent member of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN), leaving PSB with three seats.
On July 13, 2023, Tiong and Wong signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signalling the beginning of the potential PSB-PDP merger.
Should the integration of PSB members into PDP occur, the latter would hold a total of eight State seats.
This tally includes Tasik Biru (Datuk Henry Harry Jinep), Krian (Friday Belik), Meluan (Roland Duat), Dudong (Tiong), and Marudi (Datuk Dr. Penguang Manggil).
At the parliamentary level, PDP is represented by Tiong (Bintulu) and Datuk Anyi Ngau (Baram).
