Mixed feelings about PSB joining GPS

KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) will not have any problems joining Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) with the full support from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Even as of now, PSB is more or less already with GPS after receiving an invitation to join the state-based coalition recently, said University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute director Prof Dr James Chin.

“They already have an offer to join GPS,”he added.

However, Chin also said some people in PSB believed they would do better without joining GPS.

“But there are people in PSB who think they can be the ‘third force,”he said.

When told that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also GPS chairman, has revealed that GPS will accept any new party into its fold as long as three quarters or 75 per cent of its component parties agree to the motion, Chin said he believes PBB will be a dominant force.

“There is no more BN rule. PBB can push for acceptance. SUPP and PRS cannot stop,”he said, referring to Sarawak United People’s Party and Parti Rakyat Sarawak.

Meanwhile, Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya believes that PSB will not be welcome to join GPS.

“PSB will not have a smooth entry into GPS because SUPP definitely will not accept its splinter group,”the political analyst explained.

Although United People’s Party (UPP) has been rebranded as PSB, Azman insisted that “a leopard cannot change its spots”.

“This means they are still the same political character and it is not easy for SUPP because of differing political personalities, ”he said.

Azman stressed that GPS”acceptance will depend on the support and agreement of its component parties.

“This depends on whether GPS”chairman will be able to convince them that their common enemy is Pakatan Harapan, and not PSB, whose leaders have been together with them under Barisan Nasional (BN) in the past,”he explained.