By Karen Bong, Ling Hui and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, July 10: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has today reiterated the coalition’s support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that this is not the time for politicking that will undermine the stability of the country.
“This is the time for Malaysians to consolidate and unite to lift the country out of the (Covid-19) pandemic crisis.
“We (GPS) have arrived at one consensus view, particularly in relation to what’s going on in Putrajaya. So this is our stand on this issue,” he told a press conference following the conclusion of the GPS MPs’ roundtable meeting at PBB Headquarters, Jalan Bako here today.
Abang Johari highlighted GPS’ stand today in responding to Umno’s withdrawal of support for the loose ruling coalition of PN and its call for Muhyiddin to step down from his post last Thursday, which has dragged the country into yet another round of political uncertainty.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made the sudden announcement during a Facebook live broadcast following the conclusion of the party’s Supreme Council meeting that lasted for four hours.
It came barely hours after Muhyiddin announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as deputy prime minister and senior minister, respectively.
Zahid also called on Muhyiddin to step down from his post to allow for the appointment of a temporary prime minister who will focus on the people’s wellbeing, address the Covid-19 pandemic and ensure that the vaccination process is expedited.
He also expressed Umno’s stand in refusing to name Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as candidate for prime minister, nor will it support any Democratic Action Party (DAP) or Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led government.
Among the top leaders present at GPS’ roundtable meeting today was Deputy Chief Ministers Tan Sri Dr James Masing Jemut and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi. — DayakDaily
