PROOF OF REGISTRATION: Louis showing the PBDS Baru certificate and its logo.
New Dayak party will continue predecessor’s stance, future direction rests on pro tem committee
KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru), one of the five newly registered political parties in the state, stresses that it is Barisan Nasional (BN) friendly.
Its pro tem president Louis Jarau said yesterday that this was the party’s stance at the moment and any change would only be decided during its inaugural general meeting which is to be held within 90 days as required by law.
“The future direction of the party will be discussed with party pro tem committee members during the meeting. For the time being, we are a BN-friendly party.
“The predecessor PBDS was under the BN umbrella and it was never sacked (from the BN coalition). It was just unfortunate it was de-registered and therefore no longer part of BN. That is the history of it,” said Louis who is a trained lawyer.
“Yes, you can say that we are still friends of BN because we still stick to the position of PBDS before this,” Louis told reporters when met at the airport upon his arrival from Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He was in Kuala Lumpur to receive his party’s certificate of registration at the ROS office on Monday.
Louis added that the party’s door was open to everyone, especially former PBDS members now in other parties and those who were still party-less.
“The door is open to the former PBDS members from whichever political party they are in now. If they want to return, our door is open for them as we welcome everyone with open arms. Those who are still partyless are also invited to join us.”
When asked if he intended to retain the president’s post
Louis said that it would be decided during the party’s inaugural AGM.
“At this point of time, I am the pro tem president, if there is consensus that I’ll be leading, then I’ll take the opportunity to lead the party.”
Louis emphasised that PBDS Baru was only meant for the Dayak community as stipulated in its constitution.
When asked if Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) would see PBDS Baru as a rival in championing the cause of the Dayaks, Louis said he was not bothered by their perception.
“I would not dwell into that matter I don’t want to argue with anybody. We are being asked to revive the old PBDS, we form PBDS Baru, here we are, whatever PRS do is up to them.”