Premier had clarified that there is no meeting on PSB members joining PDP, says Datuk Sebastian Ting

suppadmin | December 31, 2023

A statement by Sarawak Premier and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Chairman YAB Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Dec 25 stated that the coalition has not given the “green light” or approval to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) members to join the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), to become one of its component parties, said Datuk Sebastian Ting, SUPP secretary General.

Ting said Premier also said that there has yet to be any meeting of the coalition that discussed the issue of PSB’s members joining PDP since PSB is planning to be disbanded before the coming Chinese New Year.

“As a component part of GPS, SUPP is glad that our GPS Chairman has cleared the air over the matter. The Premier’s statement was in line with our coalition’s guiding principle of consultation and consensus among partners in all important matters pertaining to GPS. On this particular issue, SUPP reaffirms Tan Sri Abang Johari’s statement. Indeed, GPS has not met to discuss the PDP-PSB merger and we also think that it is a “private matter” between the parties concerned, “he said.

SUPP, he added, recognises that freedom of association in politics is closely linked to the protection of other individual rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and expression. These rights collectively contribute to the robustness of democratic societies.

Ting said SUPP respected the rights of individuals to join any political party or partake in the political causes of their choice.

However, he pointed out, even as we recognise that freedom of association is a fundamental principle, there can be limitations imposed in certain situations, such as when the activities of a group threaten the stability and harmonious workings in a government.

“When the greater societal good is at put at risk by self-serving politicians and others harbouring sinister motives and ambitions, that is when our leadership must rise to the occasion.
Thankfully, Sarawak is spared of the political postures and mudslinging happening elsewhere in the country. It is SUPP’s desire to see our many blessings, including moderate and mature politics in our beloved homeland, be jealously guarded, ” he said.

SUPP, he said, wished to let it be known to those eager to join the coalition for whatever reasons that there is an expectation that individuals, including new members or citizens, have to respect the established norms, rules, and processes of the GPS government.