PBS won’t gain momentum in Sarawak — Abg Johari

KUCHING: Parti Bersatu Sabah ( PBS) will not gain momentum even if it successfully spreads its wings to Sarawak, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Housing Minister and Tourism Minister said it would not matter whether he welcomed the Sabah- based party to the state.

“This is democracy, and they are allowed to spread their wings here, we cannot stop. If DAP ( Democratic Action Party), PKR ( Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and Peninsula-based parties can come in, that means Sabah-based party can also come in.

“But the question is whether non- Sarawak parties are better than Sarawak parties in terms of looking after the interest of

This is democracy, and they are allowed to spread their wings here, we cannot stop (them). If DAP (Democratic Action Party), PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and Peninsula-based parties can come in, that means Sabahbased party can also come in.

Sarawakians,” he said when met by reporters at the Jubilee Ground here yesterday.

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the Registrar of Societies ( ROS) had approved the application of PBS to spread its wings to Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

Abang Johari reiterated he was confident that “Sarawakians know better than non- Sarawakians to look after Sarawak’s interest.”

A case in point, he said, is the State Reform Party ( STAR) that is based in Sarawak, but has set up a secretariat in Sabah.

“STAR is Sarawak party, they are in Sabah. But the question is whether Sabahans accept them or not.”

Asked how STAR was doing in Sabah, he said: “I do not know. You ask them.”

STAR is a political party that was founded in Sarawak in 1996. It spread its wings to Sabah in 2012.

Abang Johari pointed out he was all for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s stance that Peninsula- based political parties as well as those from outside Sarawak would not know the needs of Sarawakians.

“The chief minister is very clear and we support him. Only Sarawakians know their culture, the ingredients of Sarawakians. I do not think people outside Sarawak know.”

Abang Johari said PBS could set up their wings in Sarawak, but “I’m sure Sarawakians would like Sarawakians to look after Sarawak.”

“That is why we ask for devolution of power ( from the federal government). I even asked for revisit of Malaysia Agreement because I know the history.

“We know the history, so the question is whatever issues that we have agreed in Malaysia Agreement must be executed. And Malaysia Agreement is a treaty that has to be respected.”

Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, PBB deputy president