Sarawak PKR chief slammed for ultimatum to GPS on federal tie-up

 

PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says PKR’s insistence on collaboration with GPS now instead of after the elections smacks of arrogance.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan’s demand that the ruling Sarawak coalition decide on a federal level link-up with it before the Nov 19 general election has drawn a sharp rebuke from a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leader.

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, a vice-president in the Gabungan Parti Sarawak linchpin party, said Sarawak PKR chairman Roland Engan’s insistence that the coalition make the decision now rather than after the polls smacked of arrogance.

He said such arrogance was one of the reasons GPS could not work with PH.

He urged Engan to “be humble” and prioritise the Bornean state’s interests in his political struggle as a Sarawakian.

Karim told FMT it was difficult for GPS to form any collaboration with PH before and even after the elections, saying it was “very familiar” with DAP’s and PKR’s struggle in Malaysian and Sarawakian politics.

“It totally doesn’t blend with the GPS’ struggle,” he said. “Their DNA, struggle and vision aren’t typical to Sarawak.

“I am not being overconfident, but my deep feeling is that PKR will not deliver any seat in Sarawak this GE15.”

He noted that party leaders in many countries would normally discuss cooperation and forming a coalition government only after an election.

In such instances, the parties with the most seats would get better portfolios, he said. “That’s why it makes sense for GPS to formalise any cooperation only after GE15.”

GPS chairman and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg recently said GPS would back the party that could form a strong and stable federal government after GE15.

The PBB president said the coalition had backed former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin when he formed a government in 2020 because GPS valued the country’s stability.

GPS will contest all the 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak in GE15. - FMT