PSB chief: See pledged to vacate Batu Lintang seat if he ever quit the party

SIBU: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) says Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How should also vacate the seat now that he has resigned from the party.

Its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said this was part of the commitment See made to the party before being chosen as its candidate in the Dec 18 Sarawak state election.

ALSO READ: Batu Lintang rep leaves PSB to become Independent

See had reportedly notified the state assembly of his resignation from the party to become an independent, with immediate effect, on Friday (Aug 12).

In a statement on Sunday (Aug 14) Wong said PSB deeply regretted See's decision to quit after winning the seat on the party's ticket.

"He is fully aware of the support and resources given to him by PSB as well as its supporters. He is also fully aware of the commitments, both oral and written, that he had given to PSB before he was selected to be its candidate (for) Batu Lintang," said Wong.

Wong said that this included an undertaking to compensate the party if See resigned after winning the seat as a PSB candidate, and to resign as an assemblyman as well.

"He is a senior lawyer and he knew what he committed to in writing before he was given the (letter) to represent PSB in the last Sarawak election.

"As a matter of principle, PSB will avail itself of all necessary actions and remedies in respect of the commitments made by YB See," he added.

State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar told a press conference earlier on Sunday that he had received a letter from See on Friday stating that he had resigned from PSB with immediate effect.

“In his letter, he said he will continue to serve the constituents of Batu Lintang and all Sarawakians as an independent member of (the assembly),” Mohammad Asfia said.

With See's resignation, the Opposition bench now consists of three elected representatives from PSB and two from DAP.

The three from PSB are Wong (Bawang Assan), Baru Bian (Ba'kelalan) and Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili) while the DAP assemblymen are Chong Chieng Jen (Padungan) and Violet Yong (Pending).

The state's ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has 76 seats from the total of 82 seats.

Asfia said the assembly had accepted See's resignation and would rearrange the seating in such a way that he will not be seated with the Opposition.

Borneo Post reported that See will hold a press conference this Tuesday (Aug 16) on the matter.

The three-term Batu Lintang representative joined PSB with Baru Bian and over 20 other former PKR leaders in May 2020.