KUCHING: The talks between Sarawak DAP and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) is merely ‘beginning of the show’ and it doesn’t guarantee a fruitful outcome.
Political analyst Professor James Chin from the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute said it was something expected after the disastrous opposition outing in the Sarawak state election in December last year.
Same as prior to the state election last year, he said, the opposition parties, particularly DAP and PSB had tried to work together, but they failed to reach a consensus.
“After being beaten so badly in the Sarawak election, they might have a second thought now – that they couldn’t afford to have a divided opposition heading to the 15th General Election (GE15).”
“But, this is just talk, I don’t think it will lead to anything yet…,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
With the ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) winning 76 out of 82 seats in the legislative assembly, definitely gave the opposition parties a stronger push – to work together.
Sarawak DAP deputy chairperson Alice Lau was reportedly saying that her party and PSB will commence negotiation for a “united front” for GE15 today (April 26).
Lau would represent DAP along with party treasurer Chiew Chin Sing and secretary Alan Ling while PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh was expected to be part of the negotiations.
However, Sarawak PKR acting chairman Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh said he was in the dark over talks between the two parties as his party has not received any invitation to join the discussion.
Chin opined that they would eventually invite PKR to join the negotiation as they cannot exclude PKR, which is also part of the Pakatan Harapan.
The opposition parties wanted to ensure a straight fight against GPS in as many seats and to avoid vote splitting in the GE15.
“This is just the start of a conversation and they will bring PKR in when the real negotiation goes ahead,” he explained.
When asked about the possible outcome, Chin said, it would still be quite difficult for the opposition parties to come together this time around.
“As we can see, most of the opposition leaders or leadership – are largely the same people – who had refused to cooperate with each other in the last state polls,” he said.
“So, it (announcement of the talks) is just like an opening statement, nothing to get excited about,” Chin added.
Last year, Sarawak DAP Chairman Chong Chieng Jen was reportedly saying that it was difficult for his party to work with PSB, a party with suspicious and questionable financial backers, hence, they decided to take on GPS and PSB in the state polls.
Meanwhile, Wong on numerous occasions, had also made it clear that those who were interested to work with PSB must be independent and free from the control of the top leadership in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We want to work with like-minded people and leaders or Sarawak-based parties to fight for the interest of the state and its people. Thus, they must not have any connection with peninsula-based parties.”
“Otherwise, it will be difficult for them to put the interests of Sarawakians at heart as they have to listen to their bosses in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
