By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Oct 25: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah does not understand why is it so difficult to get Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
“I don’t know why is it so difficult to get it (GPS) registered. We have not been confrontational with them, ” he said.
Previously, the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially Umno, was unhappy with Pakatan Harapan (PH), and that was the main reason RoS rejected PH’s application.
“It is Umno who did not approve the registration. So, do not do the same to us (GPS).
“In fact, RoS does not reject applications,” said Abdul Karim, when met by reporters after he witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenbest and Lok Thian Group of Companies here yesterday.
He was quick to point out that GPS’ application was not rejected, but RoS probably needed more time or more documentation.
Abdul Karim said he was not involved with the process of getting GPS registered because there was a committee handling it. The committee is now in Kuala Lumpur, waiting for approval from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other relevant authorities.
But Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports, believed GPS would be registered soon because all its component partners — Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) — are registered with the RoS.
“It is not going to be a problem. What is more important is the spirit of wanting to work together. Our state cabinet now comprises of different parties that can work together,” he said.
On what would happen if GPS was still not registered when the state election is called, Abdul Karim reckoned the four parties could always use their own party logos.
“We can work that way (use own logos), but we would love to see that GPS is registered, of course,” he said. — DayakDaily
