By Nur Ashikin Louis and Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Nov 20: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has admitted that Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has attempted to reach out to him with regards to forming the next federal government.
“Everybody wants to see me. Honestly, I’m not telling (lies),” he said, adding that Anwar was one of the party leaders who approached him.
“He (Anwar) wanted to see me, but whether I see him or not, that is immaterial-lah (sic).
“Yes, he (Anwar) sent messages and so on. All of them. Nok nama orang kacak tok (It is expected of GPS as a ‘beautiful lady’),” he told the reporters during a press conference held at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here today.
Earlier, he mentioned that GPS has agreed to form a pact with Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN), and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to form the next federal government with PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as their choice for prime minister.
Asked when the government can be formed, Abang Johari said he has no details of that.
He took note that the leaders of political parties and coalitions that have a large number of seats to form the next government have been asked to inform the Istana Negara, as well as submit the name of the prime minister candidate, to the palace by 2pm on Monday (Nov 21).
“Yes, we will forward a name,” he simply said.
Abang Johari said the matter would come later when responding to a reporter’s query on the possibility of a deputy prime minister (DPM) to be appointed from Sarawak into the Federal Cabinet.
“That can come later. The people come first. We are not focusing on the DPM now, we prioritise the people first.
“Next year is a recession, you know. GPS prioritise its people, and we prioritise the interests of Sarawak. That has always been our stand. Thus, if they want to work together with us, we can work together,” he added. — DayakDaily
