DAP, PKR don’t exist in Sarawak, quips Abang Johari

 

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the criticism that the GPS coalition receives from its components serves as an effective check and balance in the state. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has jokingly claimed that DAP and PKR 

do not exist

 in Sarawak thanks to Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) dominance in the state.

The ruling coalition, which is headed by Abang Johari, currently holds 80 seats in the 82-seat state assembly, with DAP’s Chong Chieng Jen (Padungan) and Violet Yong (Pending) being the only two opposition assemblymen.

Asked by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin in the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast if GPS would contest all the seats at the next Sarawak election, Abang Johari replied with an emphatic 

Yes!

.

Prodded on whether this would affect the cooperation GPS has with Pakatan Harapan parties like PKR and DAP, which have a presence in Sarawak, Abang Johari said federal and state politics are separate matters.

So work together at the federal level and clash at the state level during the election?

 asked Khairy.

That’s if they want to clash,

 replied Abang Johari.

If they don’t clash, they won’t exist in Sarawak,

 said Khairy.

They don’t exist now either,

 said Abang Johari with a smile.

While Abang Johari did not want to disclose GPS’s target for the next state election, which must be held by April 2027, he said he was confident the criticism that the coalition receives from its components serves as an effective check and balance.

GPS is made up of four Sarawak-based parties – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

Last September, Abang Johari told a SUPP convention that GPS will contest all 82 seats at the next state election.

In a report in The Borneo Post, the GPS chairman said there were no discussions with the unity government on seat negotiations regarding the state election.

He said as a local Sarawakian coalition, GPS needs to contest the state election and 

defend Sarawak under any circumstances

.

This is because only local parties can truly understand and strive for the state’s best interests,

 he said. - FMT