The four ruling parties of Sarawak may have changed their name but not their policies, says Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.

Chong was referring to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) exiting BN and forming their own state alliance, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

"Unless there is a clear change of policies by the state government... the mere change of name from Sarawak BN to GPS is meaningless," he said in statement today.

The four parties pulling out of BN leaves it with control of just two states - Perlis and Pahang.

GPS has also pledged to support the federal government on issues of mutual interest.

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Chong also took a dig at GPS, accusing them of betraying their allies when they were needed most.

"They will only be friends in good times. In difficult times, they have no hesitation to dump their friends.

"Only about a month ago, they were all singing praises of (then prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak and BN,” he said.

“(SUPP president) Dr Sim Kui Hian and (PBB president) Abang Johari Abang Openg in particular, were making statements saying that Najib was the best prime minister.

"As late as May 14, (PRS president) James Jemut Masing said that he will 'sink or swim with BN'. Yet, they now all quit BN, adding insult to injury.”

Chong also speculated that GPS would ally themselves with Umno once again should the latter regain its former strength.

GPS now has control of 19 seats in Parliament, and 72 of 82 seats in the Sarawak legislative assembly.

'Same inner rot'

The sentiment was echoed by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, who called the move superficial since the new coalition still has the "same inner rot."

"The rejection of BN by the people in the previous election is not due to the 'name', but due to the corrupt acts and abuse of power by the people inside.

"(GPS) consists of the very same people that were accomplices to the alleged corruption and power abuse that was committed by the then-BN government.

"Fact is, it is the people in these local parties that are directly involved in the theft of our state's riches and revenues, including the stealing of our land and timber resources," he said in a statement today. 

Yii also stated that if these four parties were really principled, they would have distanced themselves from BN before the May 9 polls, and not after. 

"Would they have done the same if Najib and BN won the election?

"This clearly shows it is purely for self-interest and political survival, rather than actually for the people of Sarawak," he added.