KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has expressed its support over the proposal for all Sarawak Barisan Nasional parties to leave the coalition and form a new locally-based political alliance.
Deputy Chief Minister and PRS president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing described the proposal mooted by PBB as the best move to protect the interest of the state.
“It will be even better if we can form a united political front to go against Pakatan Harapan and its associate parties (in the next general election expected to be called) in 2021.
“BN as a brand is no longer attractive or saleable to the voters both in Malaya (Peninsular) and Sarawak,” Masing said in his immediate response to the announcement made by Chief Minister and PBB president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg earlier today.
Abang Johari had said that PBB would meet its three partners in Sarawak BN to decide whether to stay or leave the coalition and form a new united alliance among state-based political parties.
The chief minister did not gave an actual date for the meeting.
Apart from PBB and PRS, the other two parties making up Sarawak BN are Sarawak United Peoples’ Party and Progressive Democratic Party.
“Hopefully, the four Sarawak ‘BN’ political parties can meet soon and find the way forward.
“I will discuss this proposal with the top leadership in PRS,” he said.
Should Sarawak BN parties proceed with the proposal to form the new political alliance, the BN coalition at the national level will see a reduction of 19 parliamentary seats in Sarawak apart from the state administration.