Sarawak shake-up
PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP to discuss leaving coalition
Sarawak Barisan Nasional parties are looking to exit the coalition and form their own alliance.
KUCHING: With an eye on the next state election due in three years, Sarawak Barisan Nasional component parties are considering leaving the coalition to form their own alliance.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) will meet on Tuesday to discuss their position in the former ruling coalition.
Sources said the option of withdrawing from Barisan and forming a new Sarawak-based coalition is expected to top the agenda.
“I won’t be surprised if the decision is made to leave,” a source said, adding there was little interest among the parties’ grassroots members to stay put as the coalition’s logo was no longer “sellable”.
“People think this is a chance for Sarawak’s four parties to form their own coalition rather than stay in Barisan for the interest of Sarawak,” the source said.
A news portal reported yesterday that PBB president and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg told Barisan acting chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that PBB would be destroyed in the 2021 state election if it did not distance itself from the coalition.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, however, denied meeting Abang Johari to plead with PBB to remain.
“Reports that PBB is leaving Barisan is beyond my knowledge. In fact, I did not meet with the Chief Minister (Abang Johari) and merayu (plead) for PBB not to leave Barisan.
“But I respect and welcome PBB and other Sarawak Barisan component parties’ stand in wanting to have cooperation between the state and the Federal Government leadership,” he said in a Facebook post.
Abang Johari declined to take questions from reporters after meeting members of the Sarawak Advocates Association here yesterday.
Besides PBB, SUPP is also understood to be in favour of leaving Barisan.
According to a source, an “overwhelming majority” of SUPP members felt that the party should no longer be a part of Barisan.
The party reportedly decided to pull out from the coalition at its central working committee meeting last month but will only make the decision public with the other component parties.
SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian stopped short of confirming the decision, saying only that SUPP looked forward to working with Sarawak-based component parties with the “sole aim of protecting Sarawak as one of three partners of Malaysia”.
Sarawak Barisan suffered unexpected losses in GE14 despite being considered the coalition’s “fixed deposit”, winning only 19 of 31 parliamentary seats. PBB won 13 seats, PRS three, PDP two and SUPP one.
Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir said the component parties had “no choice” but to get out of Barisan or face problems in the state election.
“Barisan is perceived in a bad light now with corruption, abuse of power and scandals. There is no benefit in staying put.
“The parties need to move forward by creating a new entity with a strong Sarawak spirit to face the current political challenges,” he said.
Another political analyst, Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod, said Sarawak Barisan parties had been pivotal in ensuring the coalition’s previous successes in the state.
He felt that it would be “fruitful” for Barisan to persuade the component parties in Sarawak to change their minds and remain with the coalition.
Independent researcher Dr Andrew Aeria predicted tough years ahead for Barisan but urged it not to lose hope.
“This is a good time to reorganise and rebuild the coalition. They still have a substantial number of voters,” he said.