By Chris Bishop
BELAGA, Feb 29: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) would not support any coalition in the federal government which included Democratic Action Party (DAP).
Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman, stressed that the party abides by its own principle and will not be pressured into making a quick decision.
“Previously, there were leaders from a party (DAP) which came out with a statement that Sarawak will go bankrupt in three years’ time.
“Now, the party is asking for help from GPS. It is irrational if we support them.
“We have our own principles and as long as the party is there, we need to be cautious,” he said during the launching of GPS Belaga and Murum zone at Apau Koyan fiesta here today.
Abang Johari added, “The party just wants to conquer or colonise Sarawak besides accusing GPS leaders of not being capable of administrating the state.”
DAP’s secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at an event in Kuching last June said Sarawak will go bankrupt in three years’ time under GPS.
Lim who is former Finance Minister said with the state’s annual budget of RM11 billion and reserves of RM30 billion, Sarawak will exhaust all its financial resources in three years.
In the meantime, Abang Johari assured the people that any decision taken by GPS was in the best interest of the nation.
He added GPS will take into consideration of the rights and interests of Sarawak before making a final decision.
At the same time, he noted any decision must take into account the political stability of the nation and the welfare of the people.
He stressed, “GPS will give its support but the federal government which will be formed must retrospectively provide the support to the state government.
“If that is not the case, it is not fair.
“Any decision made by GPS will be in the best interest for Sarawakians.
“We do not want leaders who are inconsistent,” he explained.
Apart from that, Abang Johari noted that GPS which holds the trump card to choose which side for the federal government has urged national oil corporation Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) to pay the state sales tax (SST).
He observed that since January 2019, Petronas owed the state government approximately RM1.3 billion.
He pointed out that if any coalition wants the support of GPS, Petronas must pay the SST first.
In the meantime, GPS has 18 MPs, 13 MPs from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), two from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), two from Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and one from Sarawak United Peoples’ Party. —DayakDaily
