* PBB veep Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah dismisses state opposition chief's fears that PH might accept the state's biggest party into the new ruling federal coalition.
* The Sarawak state minister says PBB is ready to face any challenge as an opposition government following Pakatan Harapan’s victory at the polls. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: A Sarawak state minister today brushed off comments from two state opposition leaders over speculation that PBB may join the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
In response to statements issued by Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian and Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, the state Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said PBB was not in any negotiations with PH.
“I am amused by the sudden outburst by Chong and Baru rejecting any attempt to accept parties in the Sarawak Barisan National (BN) coalition, especially PBB into PH.
“The both of them even stated that accepting parties like PBB is ‘akin to Umno joining PH’,” Karim said in a statement.
“PBB and its state coalition partners SUPP, PRS and PDP are the government of the day in Sarawak, while DAP and PKR are the opposition.”
In their statements, Baru and Chong had referred to reports on a meeting between PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday.
The report said Taib would be advising Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and that the latter would be holding a meeting with all BN reps in the state next Wednesday.
The two state opposition leaders said any talk of PBB joining the new federal ruling coalition would be tantamount to a betrayal of the people of Sarawak who voted for DAP and PKR in the general election on May 9.
Ready to face new challenges
Karim said as a cultured party that had been around for over 50 years, PBB had survived many obstacles.
“We will be able to withstand any new challenges we face,” he said, referring to BN now being the federal opposition.
He added that PBB respected the democratic rights of all Malaysians, especially those in the peninsula, in wanting a change of government.
“Having different parties ruling at state and federal levels is common, and this has been the case since 2008 with both Selangor and Penang being run by DAP and PKR.
“However, despite having differences, it is perfectly normal for federal and state governments to have some level of cooperation in many fields.
“So, it is not for Chong and Baru to tell the people that PH should not cooperate with the state government as this reflects their immature political foresight,” he said. -FreeMalaysiaToday
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