Baru Bian exploring avenues for his political future

Baru Bian. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

KUCHING: Selangau MP Baru Bian has broken his silence on his political future, saying he is considering joining an existing party or forming a new one.

In a statement on Thursday (April 16), the former Sarawak PKR chairman said he had yet to join a political party since quitting PKR during the political crisis which resulted in the fall of the Pakatan Harapan federal government.

He said he was looking at a stand similar to Parti Warisan Sabah, which captured the sentiments and desire of Sabahans.

"(Warisan is) a locally-based party fighting for their state rights and becoming a crucial player, not only in determining who sits in Putrajaya but playing a pivotal role in balancing the political process towards a truly Malaysian nation.

"But above all, it must be a party that shares, primarily, my vision of hope for Sarawak," Baru said.

He also said he had examined all locally-based parties in Sarawak, especially those in opposition to the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, and found Parti Sarawak Bersatu's (PSB) constitution "quite attractive".

Among others, he said, the party's objectives included striving for a fair and equitable society irrespective of race or religion, upholding a multi-racial parliamentary democracy, maintaining goodwill and harmony among Malaysians, safeguarding Sarawak's interests within Malaysia and promoting respect and tolerance for the religious life of all communities.

"The objectives of PSB resonate with my ideals and, I believe, the ideals of most Sarawakians. Most importantly, the party promotes multi-racialism and unity," Baru said.

PSB, which splintered from the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) in 2014, was never a member of GPS although its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh was previously in the state Cabinet.

Following Wong's resignation from the Cabinet last year, PSB is now an independent party and no longer GPS-friendly.

Baru also said he looked forward to working with like-minded Sarawakians who wanted to see a change for a better Sarawak after being ruled by Barisan Nasional and GPS for the last 57 years.

"We must work together to work for a new Sarawak that is free from the shackles of the Barisan/GPS politics of race and religion, that is just, fair and free of corruption and that will adhere to principles of good governance and uphold the rule of law," he said.

He added, however, that this was not the time to engage in politicking while the country was fighting against Covid-19.

"Instead let us focus our energies on helping out in any way we can until this deadly crisis is over. Politics can wait," he said.