KUCHING, March 31: GPS has been given assurance by Bersatu that the latter will not contest in the state for the upcoming 12th Sarawak Election or 15th General Elections.
In a statement, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the assurance was given last year during a meeting.
“We were assured that PPBM (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia or Bersatu) will not participate in Sarawak both in State and parliamentary elections. That was the assurance given by Perikatan Nasional (PN) during our meeting last year.
“We value our promise, so we expect the same of PN – to keep their promise. We expect no less from PN leadership,” said Masing who is also the Deputy Chief Minister.
Without naming anyone, Masing further stressed that promises should not be taken lightly nor changed to serve political convenience.
If Bersatu were to do break their word, he warned, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will defend its rights without hesitation.
“Promise is a promise! You don’t change your promise to serve ur (sic) political convenience.
“However, should PPBM (Bersatu) renege on their promise, we have no choice but to defend Sarawak’s interest. Sarawak’s interest is not negotiable,” said Masing.
This is the second time Masing made such a public statement with regards to PN component parties contesting in Sarawak.
On July 2, 2020, he issued a statement saying that Bersatu and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas) had given their assurance to the GPS coalition that they would not contest in Sarawak come the 12th Sarawak Election.
Masing issued the statement after party presidents and leaders of the PN coalition parties met with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is also the prime minister for a two-hour meeting on July 1, 2020.
“This assurance not only clears the way for GPS to fight the opposition head on, but it is a good sign that PN component parties respect and honour its commitment to assist Sarawak GPS when PRN 12 (12th Sarawak Election) is called,” Masing said in his statement then.
The Sarawak ruling coalition GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and PRS. — DayakDaily
