Datuk Dr Jerip Susil
KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil has announced that he is leaving Parti Bersatu Sarawak (PSB) with immediate effect.
In a signed press release dated July 10, Dr Jerip who is also PSB deputy president said the decision to leave was a ‘painful one to make’.
“I have come to this decision after consulting the people and supporters in my constituency,” the statement read, referring to Mambong constituency.
“It has been a painful decision for me. But it has to be made as I am fully aware and convinced that only the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has the vision, commitment and programmes to bring even better development and progress to our rural constituencies.”
It also went on to say that his decision was ‘in the greater interest of the Bidayuh unity’.
“I can then contribute toward solidifying and consolidating the Bidayuh unity within the Sarawak government. I pledge my fullest support to the chief minister in continuing to lead Sarawak,” the statement concluded.
As of press time yesterday, Dr Jerip was incommunicado.
The July 10 letter of resignation, complete with a signature of Dr Jerip, was delivered to the press by a press officer of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
The press officer confirmed that Dr Jerip had asked him to make available the letter of resignation to the press for publication.
When met while leaving the Wisma Bapa Malaysia complex in Petra Jaya here yesterday, Abang Johari said he was caught unawares by Dr Jerip’s abrupt announcement on leaving PSB.
“No. I just heard about it,” said Abang Johari who is GPS chairman and president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
When pressed further, the chief minister said it was Dr Jerip’s choice to leave the party.
On where Dr Jerip will be going after leaving PSB, Abang Johari stressed that he did not know, reiterating that he had only just heard about the resignation.
“No. No idea. Let me study first what happened.”
PSB president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, meanwhile, said he would let the party secretariat issue a statement for the press on Dr Jerip’s resignation.
Dr Jerip, a medical doctor by profession, entered politics under the banner of State Reform Party Sarawak (STAR), where he was secretary-general, and contested in the 1996 state election and 1999 general election. He lost in both elections.
In 2001, he joined Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and won the Bengoh seat (now known as Mambong) which he defended in 2006 and again in 2011.
He joined United People’s Party (UPP) in 2014 but was directed to resign from the party to contest as a Barisan Nasional-direct candidate in the 2016 state election, and rejoined not long after securing victory. UPP was rebranded as PSB earlier this year.