Bersatu hopes GE15 ‘understanding’ with GPS will be upheld

 

SARAWAK POLLS | Bersatu hopes its “understanding” with GPS to sit out the Sarawak election in exchange for parliamentary seats will be honoured come GE15.

In a press conference in Kuching today, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin admitted that members were “very disappointed” at having to miss out on the ongoing state polls.

However, he lauded his party for largely holding up its end of his bargain with GPS chairperson Abang Johari Openg.

“In my meeting with Abang Jo in my residence several weeks ago before the election, we came to an understanding whereby for the state election, we will support (GPS).

“But in GE15, we hope there will be an understanding whereby Perikatan Nasional and Bersatu candidates will contest in seats we currently have as well as in seats we think we can win,” said the Perikatan Nasional chairperson.

Bersatu currently holds two parliamentary seats in Sarawak - Saratok (Ali Biju) and Puncak Borneo (Willie Mongin).

“I hope that this so-called understanding, in a way, will be respected when the time comes,” he stressed.

Muhyiddin further explained that this understanding entailed GPS making way for Bersatu candidates in certain parliament seats.

“We want to work together,” he said.

We could have won

Despite Muhyiddin’s previous announcement that Bersatu would not contest in the Sarawak election, five of the party’s candidates stood for election on nomination day.

The most high-profile candidate was Ali Biju, who stood as an independent in Krian.

Ali Biju

The Saratok MP and deputy minister later backtracked and began campaigning for GPS’ candidate Friday Belik instead.

Nevertheless, his name remains on the ballot paper as he was successfully nominated.

Muhyiddin today thanked Ali for “withdrawing” following his advice.

The former prime minister also said Bersatu had initially been confident in being able to win both Krian and Kemena.

“If we had contested there that day, we would have helped contribute to a win but we backed out,” he said.

Muhyiddin spoke to the media after stumping for GPS candidates in Batu Kawah and Padungan.

He also held a National Recovery Council townhall session with civil servants and business leaders in his capacity as the council’s chairperson. - Mkini