SIBU: Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, the former president of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), is set to become the senior vice-president of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) following the dissolution of PSB and the absorption of 80,000 of its members into PDP as a single unit.
The announcement was made by PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing during a dinner event attended by 2,000 people on Saturday (April 6), with Dr Johnicol Rayong and Baru Bian to serve as vice-presidents alongside Wong.
Tiong mentioned that PDP will convene an extraordinary general meeting soon to officially appoint Wong, Dr Johnicol Rayong, and Baru Bian to their respective positions within the party structure.
Expressing the need for Wong’s involvement as senior vice-president due to his extensive political experience, Tiong urged all PDP members to warmly welcome the former PSB members into the party.
Reflecting on the history of PSB, which was initially founded as the United People’s Party in 2014 before being re-branded as Parti Sarawak Bersatu in 2018, Wong revealed that the decision to dissolve the party was guided by advice from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
Following consultation with ROS and obtaining approval to dissolve the party, Wong emphasized the unity between PDP and former PSB members by stating, “We were ‘engaged’ since last year and now we are married.”
Expressing a mix of emotions about the dissolution of PSB as an opposition party, Wong highlighted the excitement of finding a new political home within PDP and reiterated the commitment of the combined forces to support the Sarawak government led by Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In the 12th Sarawak Election, PDP secured five seats through various representatives, while PSB also won four seats before one member, See Chee How, decided to exit the party and became an independent assemblyman.
At the parliamentary level, PDP holds two seats contributed by its members Tiong and Datuk Anyi Ngau, further solidifying the party’s political presence and influence within the region.
Overall, the integration of former PSB members into PDP signifies a significant shift in the political landscape, with a focus on unity and collaboration to serve the interests of the people under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
