GPS to PAS: No thanks, we can manage Sarawak

PPB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman.

KUCHING: Political leaders of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition have spurned an offer of collaboration put forward by PAS, saying that the Islamist party’s struggle “doesn’t belong in Sarawak”.

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, vice-president of PBB, the dominant coalition member, said GPS was able to manage itself well in looking after the state and people’s welfare as well as facing the next state elections.

“We thank them (PAS) for their offer of collaboration. We respect PAS as a political party but their struggle doesn’t belong in Sarawak. I’m not being arrogant but if PAS really cares for Sarawak then my advice to their supporters is to support and vote for GPS in the forthcoming state elections,” Karim told FMT.

He said his advice was also meant for other peninsula-based parties such as DAP, PKR, Amanah and PPBM, who are members of Pakatan Harapan, the ruling federal coalition.

Sarawak United Peoples’ Party youth chief Michael Tiang urged any Sarawakian in peninsula-based parties interested in collaborating with GPS to leave their parties and join GPS instead.

“GPS was formed to safeguard Sarawak’s political integrity and we believe only Sarawakians can look after Sarawak,” he said.

SUPP Youth leader Michael Tiang.

The PAS offer of collaboration had been made by PAS Sarawak commissioner Jofri Jaraee. He offered GPS a helping hand, saying GPS would not be able to win in the forthcoming state election on its own.

He said PAS and GPS had both rejected DAP and cooperation would ensure that the DAP did not take power in Sarawak.

In the peninsula, PAS and Umno have formed an alliance to fight the next general election.

Karim said peninsula-based parties should not belittle Sarawakians. “We have been doing it for the last 56 years and despite the pittance in development funds from the federal government, we are proud to show that Sarawak is the most harmonious and tolerant state in the country,” he said.

Tiang said PAS is not a local-based party and had a different agenda. He said Sarawakians had had enough of being controlled by peninsula politicians dictating terms to Sarawak. - FMT