SARAWAK RUMBLES WITH RUMORS – MAHATHIR SENDS IN HIS ‘BIG GUN’ DAIM ZAINUDDIN TO MEET ABANG JO – SOON AFTER HIS OWN JULY 30 ‘SECRET MEETING’: ANWAR & MUHYIDDIN ALSO MET SARAWAK CM – BUT BEFORE DR M’S EYEBROW-RAISING ‘CHIT CHAT’

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg received courtesy calls from top Pakatan Harapan leaders from Peninsular Malaysia over the past week.

Sources told Malaysiakini that PKR president Anwar Ibrahim met Abang Johari on July 28 before heading off to Harapan’s Sarawak Day dinner at the Imperial Hotel in Kuching.

The following day, Abang Johari received Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin who was in Kuching on official business as home minister.

Earlier today, Abang Johari received Daim Zainuddin, who is widely considered Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s most trusted advisor.

While little is known about the meeting with Anwar, Abang Johari’s meetings with Muhyiddin and Daim were official affairs as they were received at the chief minister’s office.

These meetings come amidst speculation on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s July 30 meeting with opposition MPs, including those form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which Abang Johari leads.

Participants of that meeting reportedly stated their support for Mahathir serving a full term despite the premier’s promise to hand over the reins to Anwar.

According to Mahathir, the opposition MPs had initiated the meet for a “chit-chat”.

However, Abang Johari yesterday contradicted Mahathir’s account. According to him, it was Mahathir that sought the meeting and that the GPS MPs in attendance were merely there to “listen”.

Abang Johari added that GPS’ presence at the meeting should not be construed as support for Umno and PAS’ call for Mahathir to complete his entire term. –MKINI

Daim pays Sarawak CM courtesy call, discusses various matters

PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya’s chief adviser Daim Zainuddin today met with Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg a day after the latter revealed that he did not attend a meeting involving Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders with the prime minister.

A statement issued by Abang Johari’s office tonight said that he had received a “courtesy call” from the Council of Eminent Persons chairman and former finance minister earlier today.

“During the half-hour meeting, they discussed various matters of interest on national and state issues, economic development in particular.”

Yesterday, Abang Johari said while he knew about Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s meeting with leaders from GPS, of which he heads, he did not attend it. The Satok assemblyman did not explain his absence.

He also claimed that the leaders were invited by Mahathir.

Abang Johari said this after Mahathir confirmed that he had a meeting on Tuesday with a group of opposition politicians, including those from GPS, who had pledged their support for him to complete a full term as the prime minister.

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reported that Abang Johari also met PKR president Anwar Ibrahim on July 28 and PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin the day after. – FMT

MKINI/ FMT