Ex Pkr Lawmakers Join United Sarawak Party

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Two former top Sarawak PKR figures and their supporters have officially joined United Sarawak Party (PSB)
The duo - Selangau MP Baru Bian and Batu Lintang assemblyperson See Chee How - joined PSB in a ceremony today in Kuching
Up until late-February, Baru was the Sarawak PKR chief while See was the Sarawak PKR vice-chief
PSB is a Kuching-based opposition party led by Wong Soon Koh, who formed the party after a feud within Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP)
In Parliament, PSB now has two MPs - Baru and Masir Kujat (Sri Aman) - that sit with the opposition
With Baru and See's entry into PSB, the party now has six state assemblypersons - equalling the numbers held by DAP
Following the state election in 2016, PKR won three seats in the state assembly
Baru (Ba'kelalan) and Ali Biju (Krian) left the party in late February while See was sacked in April
Meanwhile, Wong said that Baru and See were "exemplary" lawmakers with a "strong commitment" in their work for the people
"We had a meeting of minds between (PSB leaders) and (the two lawmakers). It has given us the confidence to work together
"We are very happy to accept Baru and See into PSB," he said during the ceremony today to welcome the duo
For the next state election expected next year, Wong said PSB was willing to collaborate with "like-minded" parties to form a coalition to defeat Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)
Baru acknowledged that he had been asked by supporters why he and See did not form a new party
He explained that there was not enough time to do so before the next state election and a new party would split the vote further
"A new party was not necessary after discovering that PSB's aspirations were similar to ours," he said
Baru said he aspired to see Sarawak become a model state in which every Sarawakian is treated equally regardless of race and religion
He also wanted natural resources to be maintained responsibly and a clean government free from corruption
"We are confident with 15 years of experience as a capable finance minister and having held other cabinet portfolios, Wong is in a unique position to steer us in the right direction," he said. - Mkini

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