THREE Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) three assemblymen must vacate their seats after switching back their allegiance to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which they ditched in 2019, a political analyst said

The three are Wong Soon Koh, who is the PSB president, Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili) and Baru Bian (Ba’Kelalan).

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) political science professor Jayum Jawan told The Malaysian Insight resigning their seats would be the honourable thing for the trio to do.

“Turning around and supporting the parties or coalition that they had fought (means they are) going back on their word.”

He said the assemblymen won the seats on the basis of their anti-establishment rhetoric.

“People in four constituencies believed them,” Jayum said in reference to the number of seats PSB won in the 2021 state elections.

The seats were reduced to three after Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How ditched the party in August last year to become the Sarawak assembly’s sole independent lawmaker.

With the four seats, PSB had overtaken Pakatan Harapan (PH) as the largest opposition party in the 82-seat assembly. PH holds only two seats via Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen (Padungan) and Violet Yong (Pending).

Jayum said the about-face was “probably to save the seats the party had won”.

Jayum said if PSB had remained in the opposition, the party and the rest of the opposition would not have much impact in the next state elections.

“There are not many issues that they can stir up to draw away support from the successful GPS government that has got a good concession from the federal government.

“I see PSB’s move as saving the (three) elected assemblymen and the party from being decimated in the elections in Sarawak.”

University of Tasmania’s Asian governance expert James Chin has predicted that the memorandum of understanding PSB is signing with the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) will not benefit PSB.

Chin said if the proposed merger is realised, it will strengthen PDP more than it would PSB.

“PDP will gain more out of this collaboration rather than PSB.”

The collaboration however, has the blessing of GPS president and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg.

“To me, if it’s good for the people and the state, and if they want to help GPS, of course it’s okay,” Abang Johari said.

“(Yes) they fought me in the state elections. Now they realise we have delivered. “ – July 15, 2023.