New Opposition coalition to be launched soon

(The Star) – A new Opposition coalition called Gabungan Rakyat Saksama (Saksama) will be launched soon, according to Sarawak Reform Party (STAR) president Lina Soo.

She said Saksama comprises seven political parties from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

Speaking at a press conference here Sunday, Soo said the new coalition party was being set up because Pakatan Rakyat had failed to pose a stiff challenge to Barisan Nasional, adding that the Opposition party was fragmented.

Saksama comprises STAR, Parti Sejahtera Angkatan Perpaduan Sabah (SAPU),  Pertubuhan Perpaduan Rakyat Kebangsaan Sabah (Perpaduan),  Malaysia United People’s Party (MUPP) , Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS), Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) and the People’s Alternative Party from the peninsula.

“MUPP under its president Philip Among initiated this new coalition last month. Seven political parties have agreed to be part of it and we are expecting more to join us,” Soo said.

She said an application to register the party has been made with the RoS. “We are expecting to launch it in one or two months’ time.”

Once officially formed, she said Saksama would be the second political alliance in 53 years in the country after Barisan.

“We will be an alternative political force to Barisan,” she said.

Soo added that the new Opposition coalition was being set up in preparation for the next general election where all parties were equal partners in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963.