PARTI Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing today rubbished claims that a party member had pledged support for opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who seeks to be prime minister.

“Fake news,” Masing said of a report alleging Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong has backed Anwar’s bid to form a Pakatan Rakyat federal government, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister in the process.

“Did he?” he said when asked to confirm if Ugak had broken ranks. “Ugak was with me in the last few days. He didn’t say anything (about) joining Anwar,” Masing said.

Ugak is on the organising committee for Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg’s visit to Kapit.

The chief minister took his trike – a three-wheeled motorcycle – on a 168km trip from Sibu to Kapit to check out the new road and other infrastructure projects along a stretch of the Rajang River.

The report said Serian MP Richard Riot Jaem (SUPP), Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing (Progressive Democratic Party) and Baram MP Anyi Ngau (PDP) had also thrown in their lot with Anwar.

PRS, SUPP and PDP are components of Gabungan Parti Sarawak led by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu.

Yesterday Tiong and Anyie denied the claims.

He said the list of 121 MP said to be on Anwar’s side published by the news portal was dubious and “extremely laughable”.

He said Anwar’s claim of majority support to take over the government showed why opposition leaders should stop their “desperate drama” to seize power. – October 6, 2020.