Defectors either partyless or booted out — PRS Senadin
KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) Miri is playing down the defection of several members of the party to Parti Sarawak Bersatu ( PSB), claiming they are either party-less or have been booted out from PRS.
On behalf of PRS loyal members in Miri, PRS Senadin branch issued a press statement clarifying that sacked members were out to play cheap publicity when appearing in a local newspaper.
Its deputy branch chairman councillor Rantai Achin said: “From what I noticed, there are only four former PRS members in that picture (on the daily). Richard Wil was sacked sometime in April 2018 and the other three had resigned from PRS before the last general election. Thus, they are not PRS members.
“We learnt that they had applied to join PKR ( Parti Keadilan Rakyat) earlier, hence they are either betrayers to PKR or their applications were rejected by PKR,” Rantai said when referring to a news article titled ‘Exodus of PRS members to PSB’.
“From what I see, the rest in the picture are either party-less or perhaps ‘ pelakon tambahan’ from other parties just to make up the numbers. To claim that they are bringing along some 1,500 others with them is simply ludicrous and comical. It’s totally an exaggeration,” he said.
As far as PRS Miri is concerned, the members remained intact and united, Rantai stressed.
“In fact, our collaboration and understanding with GPS ( Gabungan Parti Sarawak) component parties in Miri is much stronger now than ever,” he claimed.
On the other hand, its branch treasurer Jetli Jelian said those making use of PSB can continue to make cheap publicity as much as they like and the branch had chosen not to be bothered by this latest development.
“We won’t stoop that low. The public are tired of endless politicking. Likewise, we had enough of frustrated opinion leaders and recycled politicians joining or forming new parties.
From what I noticed, there are only four former PRS members in that picture (in the daily). Richard Wil was sacked sometime in April 2018 and the other three had resigned from PRS before the last general election. Thus, they are not PRS members. Councillor Rantai Achin, PRS Senadin deputy branch chairman
Most do so purely for personal interest and political survival.”
Jetli added: “We just cannot please everybody. GPS must consolidate itself by having greater mutual respect and understanding among the components. We do not want to be bogged down with the opportunists and the splinters or giving the public the impression that GPS is an old wine in a new wineskin by giving in to the idea of divide and rule.”
He urged members and supporters of GPS to move forward with a new mindset and show to the people of Sarawak that GPS is serious in doing more and talk less.