Following the 12th Sarawak State Election, leaders of five opposition parties met repeatedly to establish common ground for the upcoming 13th Sarawak State Election (PRN13). We collectively agreed on a core consensus: opposition parties must not poach, recruit, or encourage members—especially key leaders—from one another. The objective was straightforward: to stabilize opposition unity and present a formidable, united front against Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
PBK acted in complete good faith. We proposed using a unified campaign color for PRN13 while allowing each party to preserve its own identity. We fully endorsed avoiding multi-cornered fights to ensure a clean, one-on-one contest against GPS in as many constituencies as possible. PBK honored its pledge unconditionally. To this day, PBK has never poached or enticed leaders or members from any non-GPS party. We respected both the letter and the spirit of our agreement.
Breach of Trust and the Failure of Cooperation
Unfortunately, the agreement was repeatedly undermined by party-hopping and internal breaches even before a final pact could be formalized. Seeing that the alliance was no longer viable, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) eventually felt compelled to return to GPS—later dissolving to merge with Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Today, there are renewed calls for PBK and all non-GPS forces to unite once again for a straight fight against GPS in PRN13. While PBK firmly supports opposition unity to prevent vote-splitting, cooperation cannot survive when built on betrayal.
- How can a coalition function when backstabbing becomes the norm?
- How can political unity succeed when leaders entice crossovers for short-term gain?
- What happened to the fundamental principle that opposition parties should strengthen each other rather than weaken allies while the common adversary grows stronger?
A Call to Voters: Stand Against Political Opportunism
We are fully aware that certain political figures are actively enticing and poaching PBK leaders and members. This is not coalition-building—this is blatant opportunism.
Genuine political cooperation is not a mere transaction for seats; it is a solemn moral and political commitment. Parties that plead for unity today while poaching another party’s talent tomorrow have zero credibility to complain about a fragmented opposition. PBK strongly doubts whether such figures are fighting for the people or merely for their own self-interest.
I urge the voters of Sarawak to see the immense challenges PBK is currently navigating. This public statement is issued so that Sarawakians understand the truth and know that PBK has consistently acted with integrity. We appeal to voters to stand firmly behind PBK—not the political opportunists—if we are truly to bring meaningful reform to Sarawak.
PBK’s Non-Negotiable Core Principles for Unity
PBK remains ready to work with local opposition parties that genuinely share the mission of challenging GPS and safeguarding Sarawak’s rights. However, any coalition must be anchored on six non-negotiable principles:
- Zero Poaching: Absolute prohibition on enticing or recruiting members and leaders from ally parties.
- Honoring Seat Agreements: No betrayal of agreed-upon constituency allocations.
- Mutual Respect: Full respect for each party’s distinct identity and political mandate.
- Absolute Transparency: Open, honest, and accountable negotiations.
- One-on-One Strategy: A single opposition candidate per constituency wherever agreement can be reached.
- A Unified Sarawak First Agenda: A shared commitment to Sarawak’s autonomy, revenue rights, natural resources, and public welfare.
PBK will not participate in any political arrangement designed merely as a platform to weaken us from within. We need unity of purpose, not unity in name only. We need unyielding loyalty to Sarawak, not loyalty to temporary political expediency.
If the opposition is truly serious about confronting GPS, it must first prove that it can keep its word.
Voon Lee Shan
President, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK)
SIBU, 24 September 2026
