Kit Siang’s merger idea irks Bian

PKR’s Sarawak chief belittles SNAP as a political party and chastises it for going against Pakatan in the recent polls.

KUCHING: PKR Sarawak appears upset by DAP leader Lim Kit Siang’s proposal that his party merge with SNAP and wants him to explain.


In a statement critical of SNAP’s political performance and its attitude towards Pakatan Rakyat, Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian said such a proposal should have been discussed among the opposition partners before being publicised.

“Since we are Pakatan Rakyat partners, we would appreciate a clarification of this proposal from Lim,” he said.

Bian recalled that SNAP explicitly opposed Pakatan in the recent state election by fielding candidates in 26 seats.

“SNAP has also consistently been negatively critical of PKR for reasons best known only to them,” he said.

“Sarawak PKR is deeply disappointed and saddened by SNAP’s approach within PR since we have always regarded SNAP as our partner.

“As proven by its disastrous electoral performance, SNAP has no electoral machinery, little political capital and even less social clout on the ground.

“The total votes garnered by all of SNAP’s candidates combined were less than those garnered by independent candidates.”

Bian, who is now the state assemblyman for Ba’Kelalan, described SNAP’s political strategy as “inexplicable”, saying it served only to “confuse the electorate, weaken PR and ultimately deliver electoral success to the BN”.

“We are therefore deeply puzzled by Lim’s purpose in suggesting a merger between the DAP and a party like SNAP,” he said.

Dissolve SNAP




He said such proposals should be thoroughly discussed behind closed doors.

“This would ensure that all component parties of PR understand and endorse the objectives of such a possible merger, which ultimately must strengthen the coalition.

“Additionally, Sarawak PKR is of the view that any such mergers by coalition partners must enhance diversity and reflect the multi-ethnic realities of politics in Malaysia instead of deepening any existing ethnic cleavages which would only serve the sectarian politics of the BN.

“Finally, Sarawak PKR is of the opinion that the best way forward is for SNAP to dissolve itself and SNAP members to join whatever parties they wish to in their fight against oppression and for justice and development in Sarawak.

“In this way, we believe that SNAP cannot ever be made use of as a vehicle to further undermine the stable coherence of Pakatan Rakyat in the years to come.”

On Tuesday, Lim, who is DAP’s parliamentary leader, proposed that DAP and SNAP merge in time for the next general election in order to better serve the Iban-Dayak community.

He said that such a merger would accelerate the Iban-Dayak political awakening following the recently concluded Sarawak general election.

SNAP immediately responded by saying that it was surprised by the proposal and needed to discuss it among its leaders.

By Joseph Tawie