Masing equating PBB with Umno riles Idris

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KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Dato Idris Buang is disappointed with Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing for equating PBB with Umno in Barisan Nasional (BN).

Idris reasoned that PBB has different attributes, characteristics, culture and style altogether.  He also pointed out that such talk by Masing – be it in public or closed door – does not augur well for comrades in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

GPS comprises PBB, PRS, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP). The four parties exited BN to form GPS after BN at federal level failed to return to power following the May 9 parliamentary election.

“Such talk does not augur well for comrades in the same ship called GPS. If he (Masing) has issues to bring up, he is just one phone call away or a meeting away with CM Abang Jo, whom I believe he knows too well to be very approachable and considerate. As I said before, sensitive ‘bedroom talks’ better be dealt with out from the public streets,” said Idris, the Muara Tuang assemblyman, referring to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said PBB has the right to lead as it is the strongest among the four GPS components.

“I sense that DCM (Deputy Chief Minister) Masing is not only singing out of tune but far too way off from giving the real picture of PBB. Yes, PBB is in its own right a strong party and hence being strongest, it has to lead.

“But, it leads by giving equitable share of meaningful participation, contribution and inter-play of and between members of GPS. Each member party has the right to be heard in meetings of GPS and as a whole, their meetings had reportedly been known to be frank but cordial and each one of them has been working towards getting consensual and right balance in their decisions. Otherwise, TSDA (Tan Sri Datuk Amar) James would not be in the high position in the State Cabinet as he is now.

“The right thing to do now is to lead all our members to rally solidly behind our beloved chief minister towards 2021,” he stressed.

Idris was referring to Masing’s comment in his speech which he delivered during PRS’ Extraordinary Delegates Conference (EDC) in Sibu on Saturday.

Masing cautioned that a repeat of the ‘Pride before Fall’ that led to the downfall of BN and Umno, could well hit GPS come 2021, if voices of smaller coalition partners are not heard.

“PBB is no Umno,” Idris reiterated, adding that the equation is completely out of place.