PSB to take fight to PBB after Bawang Assan ‘war declaration’
KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) will take on Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) in the latter’s traditionally-held seats in the next state election, says PSB president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.
Wong said this is because PBB has “declared war” on him by announcing that it was aiming to field its candidate in his Bawang Assan constituency.
“We (PSB) are going to contest in any winnable seat. It is open because PBB has declared war on me in Bawang Assan. PBB vice president Dr Annuar Rapaee said so and PBB Bawang Assan branch chief Romeo Christopher Tegong said so – that they want the seat.
“So they have declared war on me,” he told reporters after leading PSB members on a visit to The Salvation Army Boys Home, here yesterday to distribute angpows and oranges in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year.
Wong also reaffirmed that he would be defending his Bawang Assan seat in the next state election, saying as party president, he has to contest and “lead PSB into battle”.
At the same time, however, he said he believed the next state polls would be one of ‘friendly rivalry’, adding that in politics within a democratic country, people are bound to contest against each other.
“We all should let the best one win. Leave it to the people. The people will decide who they want to represent them.”
Meanwhile, he said PSB is in the process of assessing potential candidates for a number of seats, including Chinese-majority ones.
When asked if the party has identified a candidate for Mambong – held by former PSB deputy president Datuk Dr Jerip Susil who quit the party last July – Wong said they had yet to make a final decision.
“For now, we have not finalised the candidate for Mambong. I will come along when the time comes to declare the (Mambong) service centre or branch, and then announce the candidate,” he said, adding he would gradually announce all of PSB’s candidates.
PSB recently announced its candidates for five seats – incumbent Datuk Ranum Mina in Opar, incumbent Dr Johnichal Rayong in Engkilili, Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe (Tasik Biru), Datuk William Nyallau (Batang Ai), and Datuk Masir Kujat (Balai Ringin).