The incoming PSB secretary-general said voters were unhappy that the party entered the Sarawak elections on its own despite it being a strong opposition party.

“Due to this, we paid the price and hopefully it is a lesson learnt.

“I believe in looking forward, and with GE15 looming, I am hopeful that we will be able to come to an understanding with all opposition parties, local or otherwise,” he said in a statement.

Baru said if all opposition parties could work together, the tide may turn in their favour.

Earlier this month, Sarawak DAP said GE15 seat negotiations with PSB had reached a dead end.

Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen said they could not accept PSB president Wong Soon Koh’s demand for them to “sacrifice” one parliamentary seat for PSB.

Meanwhile, Baru also said it was important for PSB’s membership to include more members from different races, especially Malays.

“We need to be more multiracial and to be seen as such.

“Our party leaders must seriously look at this if we are to be an effective and viable alternative to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS),” he said, referring to the state’s ruling coalition.

In the state elections last December, GPS won 76 out of the 82 seats. PSB won four and DAP won two.

However, on Aug 14, Sarawak state assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nasar announced that Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How had quit PSB and is now an independent.

This leaves PSB with only three state seats.