Too early to suggest alternative alliance — Soon Koh

KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh says it is too early to suggest forming an alternative alliance to Gabungan Parti Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (GPS-PH) coalition.

He said he did read in a local daily the news of an alternative alliance for Sarawak-based parties as suggested by Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) secretary-general Banyi Beriak .

In the report, Banyi suggested that it might be a good idea for teras and UPP to revisit the idea of merging under an alliance that includes state perform party (STAR) and parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) as all are local-based parties which have not been invited yet to join Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Wong, when met by reporters after a luncheon at his ministry in his office here yesterday said it was ‘still too early for him to say anything’.

Meanwhile, Party Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS) chief Cobbold John supports the idea of an alternative alliance to the GPS-PH coalition.

“We must take a leaf out of the political strategy used by Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) and incorporate it into the Sarawak alliance,” he suggested in a press statement.

“For PBDS, we fully fight for Dayaks and Sarawak as a whole. We cannot compromise with any Sarawak issue. About the lack of Sarawak ministers in the federal cabinet I have no comment. Tun Dr Mahathir has his right based on quota or merit. Of course, they give to Malayans. We should be united under one opposition party to bargain with the federal government.

“We have to work together with those who want to work with us,” said Cobbold.

Star president Lina Soo also welcomed Banyi’s suggestion of an alliance.

“We are receptive to working together with other Sarawakbased parties.

“It is time Sarawakians rally together under one Sarawak political umbrella to fight for Sarawak’s rights. No man is an island,” she said.