KUCHING, Sept 10: “Let them (say it). Every party will say they are confident.”
This was Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s reply when reporters asked him to comment on recent statements by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders, including its president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, that Pakatan Harapan (PH) would be able to take over Sarawak in the next state election, due in 2021.
The chief minister said Anwar was free to say whatever he wanted, and he revealed that “nothing much” was discussed between them when Anwar paid a courtesy call on him here last Saturday (Sept 8).
Asked if Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was confident of winning the next state polls, Abang Johari assured that the ruling local pact had got everything covered.
“(GPS is) okay. On track,” he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and China bus manufacturer Foshan Feichi Automobile Manufacturing Co Ltd (Feichi) here this morning.
Last Saturday, Anwar told party members and supporters during meet-and-greet sessions here and in Sibu that he was confident PH would topple GPS in the next state polls.
On the same day, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told DayakDaily that there was no need for GPS to join PH as he believed GPS would be able to serve Sarawakians better on its own.
“The way I see it, it would be better for Sarawak to be led by Sarawak-based parties. No, I don’t think GPS will join the PH federal Government. But I can’t predict the future because anything can happen in politics as it is volatile and fluid,” he admitted.
However, Abdul Karim, who is also a PBB vice-president, stressed that GPS would work closely with the PH-led federal government for the benefit of the people. — DayakDaily
