By Karen Bong
BINTULU, July 2: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has reiterated its full support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to lead the country as Malaysia needs stability to focus in moving ahead despite the tough times.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that stable governance is crucial for Malaysia in this difficult period in the face of Covid-19.
“This is because Malaysia is now facing a lot of challenges with one of them Covid-19 which is not settled yet and secondly, our economy is not so good due to the pandemic.
“As such, we need a very stable government. Why the need to fight over power when the Prime Minister is already there and people want a stable government?” he told a press conference at the Sarawak Methanol Project site at Tanjung Kidurong, here today.
Abang Johari pointed out that the focus should be put on the people in these tough times, which gives more support to the reason why a stable government is needed to manage the country which has been impacted by Covid-19.
“That’s the reason why I am here (in Bintulu) today to ensure our future is bright.
“So why need to fight which will only be a disadvantage to us and the people especially?” he said, in reference to Pakatan Harapan (PH) which is plagued by internal disputes over leadership matters.
Abang Johari, who represented Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), had attended a two-hour meeting among Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders in Putrajaya yesterday (July 1).
According to Muhyiddin, who is the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, in a statement uploaded to his Facebook page, the leaders of 12 political parties have expressed support for the informal Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance.
Apart from Abang Johari, the 11 leaders were Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (United Malays National Organisation), Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia), Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (Malaysian Chinese Association), Tan Sri Vigneswaran Sanasee (Malaysian Indian Congress), Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (Sarawak United Peoples’ Party), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Progressive Democratic Party), Tan Sri James Jemut Masing (Parti Rakyat Sarawak), Datuk Seri Maximus Johnity Ongkili (Parti Bersatu Sabah), Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) and Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Rakyat Sabah).
“So last night, I told the Prime Minister that GPS is behind you and we want a stable government in Malaysia and we want to make sure of the future of people in Malaysia,” Abang Johari said.
When asked about the assurance given by Bersatu and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia that they will not contest in the next Sarawak state election, he replied: “When is election? I don’t know. We will know when we cross the bridge ok. I am still busy with methanol.”
Earlier today, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing said Muhyiddin and Hadi had given their assurance on the matter during the meeting yesterday.
The assurance, he added, will enable GPS to fight the opposition head-on in the state polls.
He also said that Abang Johari had told the meeting that the state polls are just around the corner and the state ruling coalition is ready. — DayakDaily
