I have a message for the GPS government of my homeland, Sarawak.
I am writing this as a concerned Sarawakian and as always, let me be upfront and say it straight up.
Amidst the rumours and whispers of a coup against the unity government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, I wish to remind GPS leaders that they are duty-bound to stand firm behind the PM and his Madani government.
GPS owes it to the people of Sarawak to do so. It must not waver in its support for the federal government which it willingly signed up with last November after GE15.
Sarawakians had given GPS a huge mandate by returning 23 MPs to the Dewan Rakyat, four more than the previous term. In the 2021 Sarawak election, GPS won by a landslide. This is about having faith, trust and confidence in a stable government with sound and disciplined leadership.
As Premier Abang Johari Openg had rightly summed up after the coalition’s overwhelming victory that Sarawakians have placed their trust and confidence in GPS and it was only right for GPS to work harder and not betray the sacred trust.
It is now clear that the majority of Sarawakians supported GPS’ decision to join the unity government with Anwar as prime minister.
For a while, GPS almost lost the plot after it initially pledged its support to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, a day after the Nov 19 election.
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof had explained how GPS shifted its support to a unity government later as requested by the king and after Umno had also agreed to abide by the royal decree.
It was also clear that GPS supported the formation of a unity government for the sake of the nation’s stability. This is what the people wanted too.
Fadillah stressed this: “GPS' primary objective is to form a stable and strong government. We can't afford to be playing politics anymore”.
I hope that Abang Jo and Fadillah, being the two senior GPS leaders, will remain steadfast in their quest to see an end to instability and politicking at the federal level.
They must also remind their MPs of their obligation and promise to the king to support the unity government. A man’s word is his honour; don’t forget that.
Don’t betray the coalition
The 23 MPs from GPS must stay together and not betray the coalition. It is believed that some Umno MPs are wavering after being enticed by so-called movers of another Sheraton putsch.
As long as GPS MPs stay together behind Anwar, any attempt to bring down the unity government is unlikely to succeed. It is correct to say that GPS, in this situation, fits into the kingmaker role.
I do not wish to believe in some of the nonsensical input swirling around the rumoured coup. Like the one suggesting that Muhyiddin is prepared to offer the PM’s post to GPS because he was so desperate to save himself from his corruption charges.
Nay, Abang Jo is already a premier in Sarawak. He is not even a MP and this disqualifies him to be the Malaysian prime minister. I also believe that Abang Jo is much happier concentrating on his ambitious plans for an autonomous Sarawak.
However, as for the talk of big money sponsored by two billionaires to get some 15 MPs to resign with an offer of RM50 million each, this is something worth pondering.
Over lunch with a former MP yesterday, my friend said he would be ready to jump if there was an offer of RM50 million.
“I just need to spend RM10m to re-contest the by-election and pocket the other RM40m. After that, win or lose in the election, never mind. I can retire comfortably and lead a quiet life”.
Well, folks. This is reality! Seriously, those MPs who were not given any post have nothing to lose by taking part in another coup. And if the big bucks are really there, who is not tempted to plunge the dagger into Anwar’s back?
Why am I concerned about Sarawak MPs being led astray and succumbing to temptation?
I don’t mean to exhume skeletons in some MPs’ closets but I can’t help but to mention this. Some Sarawak MPs, as I have observed, are dirt cheap.
Remember that MP (I will not mention his name) who left his party and pledged his support for Muhyiddin when he was prime minister. He said he had to shift gears hoping for one or two million from the government to service his constituency.
Hello, one or two million. This is the price of a cheapskate politician. The MP was on record as having asked and hoped for financial assistance.
Should another Sheraton Move ever take place, I hope I won’t see any MP from GPS selling his soul to the devil. Don’t you dare, any of you! Your fellow Sarawakians will never forgive you. Don’t say you have not been warned.
The majority of Sarawakians want Anwar to finish his term as prime minister and we expect GPS to help see it to fruition. - Mkini
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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