GONE HABIS KAPUT: SARAWAK GOVERNMENT LEAVES BN, RENAMES ITSELF ‘GPS’ IN BID TO SURVIVE VOTER REBELLION

The Sarawak government has unanimously agreed to leave Barisan Nasional to form a new coalition of Sarawak-based parties known as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

The coalition will comprise Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

The decision was made after much delibration, reflection and due consideration, taking into account the country’s political development post-GE14, the parties said in a joint statement today.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg today held a meeting in Kuching with the component leaders to decide on the direction of the state government.

“Our new coalition will enable us to focus on Sarawak’s interests and rights based on MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963),” the statement said, adding that the decision to leave was made in the interest of “the people and the state above all else”.

It said GPS will “cooperate and collaborate” with the federal government on issues of “national interest and state rights”.

“We believe that it is timely and appropriate for the state of Sarawak to embark on a new political platform, going forward, to face challenges in line with the changing aspirations, needs and demands of a very wide cross-section of Sarawak’s populace,” the statement said, adding that the state was “uniquely” multiracial and multi-faith.

“We strongly believe that the formation of this new coalition will enable and empower us to serve the people better, in line with the aspirations and desires of the people of Sarawak.

“We are confident that this is the most pragmatic and appropriate decision to bring Sarawak into a new era desired by the people of Sarawak,” it said.

It was reported that Abang Johari had, on May 31, informed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad about the decision to leave BN, and assured the latter that Sarawak would support the Pakatan Harapan government in “matters of Sarawak’s interests and in the interest of Malaysia as a whole”.

Aba‎ng Johari subsequently met Umno acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Kuala Lumpur. Zahid had pleaded with Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak BN chief, not to go ahead with PBB’s withdrawal.

The move by the Sarawak government will shave 19 parliamentary seats from the 79 that BN won on May 9, further weakening the coalition that had ruled the country for more than six decades.  – https://www.themalaysianinsight.com

Dissolution of S’wak BN a move to block Harapan, says DAP

DAP national vice-chairperson Chow Kon Yeow said the dissolution of the BN in Sarawak and formation of a new coalition there was a move to pre-empt Pakatan Harapan from taking over Sarawak in the 2021 state elections.

Chow said the new coalition of four local parties – PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP – named Gabungan Parti Sarawak, may be preparing their grounds to be aligned to Harapan.

Although there will be a realignment of political forces in the coming state elections, Chow said the local Harapan leaders are cautious about the move.

“Our colleagues in Sarawak have very strong views about BN-based parties joining Harapan as they have been fighting these opponents for such a long time,” Chow, who is Penang chief minister, said when asked to comment on the dissolution.

“Our members in Sarawak have the opinion that the decision by these parties to form a new coalition is to take advantage of Harapan’s federal power,” he told reporters at Komtar in George Town today.

“The new coalition may want to work together with us in the state elections,” quipped the Penang DAP chief.

The decision to dissolve BN and form a new coalition was announced by Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg at a press conference in Kuching today.

Abang Jo, who also happens to be Sarawak BN chief, said all four parties unanimously decided on the move due to the current political development, post-GE14.

In the May 9 general election, BN won 19 out of the 31 parliamentary seats it contested in Sarawak, while DAP grabbed six, PKR four, and independents, two.

Chow said the Harapan leaders in Sarawak have “very strong sentiments” to decline working with the new coalition.

“They have very strong sentiments not to accept or work with BN parties that want to be close to Harapan in the coming state elections,” Chow said.

“We allow our Sarawakian counterparts to address these issues. The national Harapan leadership will also look into it,” he added.

– M’kini