Abang Jo unfazed about PPBM’s intention to come to Sarawak

Abang Johari (fourth left) and Jamilah (third right) together with other guests including Abang Johari's wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang (fourth right), Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah (left) and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (second left) during Jamilah's Hari Raya open house Monday night in Santubong.

KUCHING, June 26: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is unperturbed by the statement of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) is planning to spread its wings to Sarawak.

Responding to Dr Mahathirā€™s statement made earlier last night, Abang Johari said that it was up to Dr Mahathir and his party as Sarawak was only concerned over its own parties especially the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition.

ā€œIf PPBM wants to spread its wings here, it is up to his (Dr Mahathir) partyā€™s decision. Because we also have our own Sarawakian parties.

ā€œHowever in terms of Sarawak, we will work together in the context of Sarawakian parties,ā€ he told reporters after concluding his visit to Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu at her Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house on Monday night at Santubong.

Asked if the arrival of PPBM in Sarawak would segregate the Malay communities in the state, Abang Johari said to wait and see first.

ā€œWe wait. We also don’t know much, no details at the moment. Maybe thereā€™s a mistake or what we donā€™t know,ā€ he said.

Abang Johari (seated second left) and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang (seated second right) in a photo session with Jamilah (seated right), her family members and other guests during Jamilah’s Hari Raya open house in Santubong on Monday night.

Earlier last night, Dr Mahathir after chairing the party’s supreme council meeting at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya, announced that PPBM plans to make its presence felt in Sarawak, a move that could strain ties with local parties already weary of and resistant to peninsula interference.

ā€œSince other Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties like PKR, Amanah are already there we felt we should also be there,ā€ he told a press conference there.

Acknowledging that the move may not sit well with some of the mainstay Sarawak parties, Dr Mahathir said an alliance with GPS was not necessary.

ā€œThey donā€™t have to join us if they donā€™t want to.

ā€œBut since Pakatan Harapan component parties are also there then we feel that we should also be there,ā€ he said. ā€” DayakDaily