Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s logo.
KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) will not have any problems joining Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) with the full support from Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
The University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute director Prof Dr James Chin insisted that PSB is more or less already with GPS after receiving an invitation to join recently.
“They already have an offer to join GPS,” Prof Dr James Chin said.
However, Dr Chin also said some people in PSB believe 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 has revealed that GPS will accept any new party into its coalition as long as three quarters or 75 per cent of its component parties agree to the motion, Dr James Chin believed 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 University 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.