By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, July 30: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is facing the ‘mother of all elections’ in the coming 12th State election as it will face two formidable fronts, Pakatan Harapan and other Sarawak-based parties especially Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) President Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.
However, he believed that GPS led by Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as the ‘captain’ of the boat would sail through the Pelagus rapids, an anology he used to described the coming state election.
“It’s going to be a turbulent journey in the upcoming state election. The analogy I used is like a longboat. All four people inside there including the goods. The boat driver is the CM. The crew members are the component parties. We are going to pass through the Pelagus rapids. While doing so, we must not make fun of each other, otherwise the concentration is not there.
“And if you kacau the CM while he’s driving or the crews, then they will not get through the Pelagus rapids. At the end, you will capsize and when you capsize, bukan satu saja susah (not only will it be difficult for one), all of us including the goods that you put (in) there will stand to loose.
“Therefore, it’s very important for us to work as a team. With all sincerity we must work together,” Masing told DayakDaily today.
He said he made those remarks in Iban during GPS launching in Kapit recently.
He reiterated that the plus factor of GPS compared to other political parties especially PH and PSB is that GPS is a truly a local-based parties which has been able to deliver for the people of Sarawak.
“PH is Malaya-based parties and like when we were in BN before, their partners in Sarawak are being remotely controlled. That’s a fact.
“As for PSB, it’s neither here nor there. It’s trying to make itself relevant.
“To me since we are in a democratic country, it’s ok. Let the best men win,” he said.
He also said that PSB is now showing it’s true colours by taking on GPS in the coming state election.
“Their objective is to take over from GPS. We know it all along. They asked us to invite them so that they can reject it. That’s the whole point, then they can score point, ada umph sikit. That’s why we say no.
“We have left it to them to either join us or we don’t say anything at all. And true enough, they don’t want to join us. So whether they want to take over the state, that has been their objective right from the beginning,” said Masing on the recent announcement by PSB that it would contest in as many as 40 seats in the coming state election.
Meanwhile, Sarawak United people’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said his party would leave it to the chief minister to decide on the direction needed to be taken by GPS.
“CM as GPS chief will set the direction. The state government is not only me. We have to do it together (with GPS other component parties),” he said. — DayakDaily
