Since Barisan Nasional’s major loss in GE14, rumours have been floating around about a Sarawakian political party intending to leave the BN coalition.
Proving the rumours true, The Star reported that Sarawak’s ruling party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), had indeed made up its mind to withdraw from BN. Uh-oh!
Source: Borneo Post
On Thursday (7 June 2018), BN’s acting chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi requested PPB’s president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to stay in the coalition. Nonetheless, Zahid’s request was in vain because PBB was firm with their decision to leave BN. Looks like they will not change their mind at all!
According to reports, Zahid tried to persuade Abang Johari to stay in BN by confessing that they will collapse if PPB were to leave them.
Source: ISMAWeb
In response to Zahid’s confession, Abang Johari said that PPB could be destroyed in the 2021 state elections if it were to remain in BN.
On the other hand, Abang Johari reportedly informed our prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad about PBB’s decision to distance itself from BN on 31 May 2018.
Source: My NewsHub
However, PBB explained that their departure from the BN coalition will only be confirmed after consulting the other three Sarawak-based Barisan parties.
FYI, these parties include Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PKS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Development Party (PDP).
On a side note, SPP also decided to withdraw from BN on 15 May 2018 but they didn’t make the decision public. I wonder how will BN cope with so many parties leaving its coalition?
Source: SUPP News
It’s evident that BN’s unfortunate loss in GE14 had impacted them badly as parties in their coalition are gradually losing their confidence in them and subsequently leaving. Hopefully, they will be able to bounce back from this predicament and emerge as a strong opposition. After all, BN still plays a major part in the Malaysian politics!
Also read: PAS Does Not Regret Splitting Up with PH Because It Can Stand On Its Own
