KUCHING, July 14 — Progressive Democratic Party’s (PDP) collaboration with the opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) has nothing to do with the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), its chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg explained today.

He said the move was not part of GPS’ agenda.

"It is a separate issue. Nothing to do with GPS,” he told reporters after a memorandum of understanding signing here.

"Put it this way, they want to work with GPS. Maybe with PDP first. Let’s see first,” he added, referring to PSB.

In Kuala Lumpur yesterday, PDP and PSB inked an MoU to collaborate, following a year-long discussion.

Abang Johari disclosed to reporters that PSB leaders led by Wong had met with him during the State Assembly sitting in May this year, expressing their wish to support GPS, especially in the development of Sarawak.

"To me, it is not a problem and in the interest of the people and state, if they want to help GPS,” he said.

He said GPS will hold a meeting tomorrow night to hear what kind of collaboration the PDP has with PSB, in addition to discussing with other component parties — Sarawak United People’s party (SUPP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) — to hear their views on the collaboration.

"At the moment, it is premature to come to a conclusion,” he said.

He said PSB will be subjected to the coalition’s rule if it applies to join GPS, and so far there is no objection on the matter from other GPS components.

"If people want to support you, let it be for the benefit of the state, at least they realised their mistakes. PSB challenged me during the state election in 2021. Now they have realised their mistakes.

"I am not a vindictive type. They have accepted what we have been doing all this while,” he said.

Abang Johari declined to say if Wong had apologised to him for challenging GPS in the state election.

Wong resigned as a state minister of international trade and e-commerce and second finance minister, in July 2019.

Wong was appointed as a state minister by the premier despite PSB not being part of GPS. He and his followers formed PSB after leaving SUPP.