By Ling Hui
MIRI, Nov 24: It is weird that the Opposition in Sarawak has been protesting the idea of holding the election despite the expiration of term by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led Sarawak government last June, 2021.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this phenomenon whereby the Opposition seemingly wants to retain him as the chief minister, was peculiar to him.
“If in other states, it’s the Opposition that will ask for elections first. I tell you, if in other states, the Opposition will say, ‘Hey, you no longer have the power, you better get out’.
“But in Sarawak, no, (that’s not the case). The Opposition here says, ‘You stay, Abang Jo, you stay’. That’s really weird,” he said.
Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman, said the mandate must be returned to the people if not earlier then later such as now, when the Covid-19 situation allows with the number of infections dropping to over a hundred cases per day.
He said he had insisted on an election when circumstances improved as he refuses to cling onto power under the guise of an Emergency Order.
“So, whether you want it or not, we must have the elections,” he said during an event at a local hotel here today.
While expressing thanks to the people’s continuous support for the past four years, Abang Johari said the government of the day will have a lot more work to do, especially in reviving the economy after Covid-19.
He, however, was confident that GPS and its coalition parties could continue to win the hearts of the people because of unity among the coalition.
“It’s not only me. I have a team behind me, a very good team in fact. Here in the North, we have the Senadin, Piasau, Marudi, Lambir, and Bekenu teams.
“If the five teams continue to work hard, hopefully GPS will retain the five seats (in upcoming election), so that the teams can help in the bigger team named GPS.
“It’s Team GPS, and I’m only the captain,” said Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
