Merger can alter political scene : Taib

KUCHING: Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud, yesterday suggested that the political landscape in Sarawak might change if Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) merged and then joined Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) to form a larger political party. He emphasised, however, that this could happen only if the parties involved shared common political objectives and achieved a deep level of understanding. The Chief Minister made this comment in response to a question on the proposed merger between PRS and SPDP after officiating at the opening of the newly renovated EPF building here, yesterday.

“If they want to join PBB, it is up to them. But if they are ready for that after their merger then the procedure of another merger is realistic. So it is up to them if they want to join PBB later. We will welcome them if they want to be successful. If they want a stronger party then we will negotiate with them,” he said. Taib, who is also PBB President and State BN Chairman, was happy that both SPDP and PRS were serious in their efforts to merge.

Abdul Taib Mahmud (third left) being welcomed by EPF officials upon his arrival to officiate at the opening of the newly renovated EPF Building

“It is a good step. My advice initially was when you have a merger, you have to go through a process like a marriage and therefore, you ought to learn what your partners are like and try to understand them. The merger must not be rushed until there is sufficient understanding. When you have that understanding of each other, only then the question of compromise and even sacrifice is possible because you can see the future benefit to both sides,” he said. According to Taib, political merger in Sarawak was nothing new as PBB had had such experience in the past.

“We have that kind of merger in PBB. In fact, we have had two mergers before. One was between Berjasa and Parti Negara in 1966 to Parti Bumiputera, and the other between Parti Bumiputera and Dayaks' Parti Pesaka in 1972 to form the present PBB. It was done like that. A lot of adjustments had to be made and that is why PBB is very close and very cohesive. I told them at one stage that there would be a lot of feelings that we should bring to these two parties into our party. So I thought the best thing for them is to go through their own merger procedures so that when they negotiate with us, they will understand what we are trying to achieve,” he said.

On another issue, Taib, who is also Minister of Finance, hoped that the mid-term review would further boost the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). On Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee’s proposal to table a motion of no confidence on the Prime Minister, Taib said it was against the spirit of BN.