SIBU: Around 2,000 members of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) from various walks of life attended its Grand Unity Dinner last night (Aug 20).
The dinner marked the first programme organised by PDP after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between both parties in Kuala Lumpur on July 13.
In his speech, PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing expressed his gratitude to all the members who attended the dinner, which aims to bring together leaders and members of both parties.
Tiong, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, remarked that the political landscape is constantly changing not only in Malaysia but throughout the world.
“I called on all the members at the grassroots level to compromise and cooperate. In politics, we indeed have shortcomings, but we must work together and sit down to find constructive solutions to these problems,” he said.
Meanwhile, PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh expressed his gratitude to all the party members who were willing to attend the dinner, as well as those who couldn’t come but offered full support to the collaboration.
“Let us all remind ourselves that we signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Kuala Lumpur on July 13, pledging to work closely together towards the merger of the two parties.
“Having made that historic and irrevocable choice, it is our combined responsibility to ensure that the merger of the two parties, PDP and PSB, can be achieved swiftly.
“You and I, all of us, have the responsibility and sacred duty to ensure that the merged party will be a strong political force in Sarawak, working towards a better Sarawak under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he said, adding that PSB has a total of 87,000 members.
Among those present were PDP deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, senior vice presidents I and II Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil and Rolland Duat, respectively, PSB deputy president Dr Johnical Rayong, PSB secretary-general Baru Bian, and others.
