KUCHING, Aug 19: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has once again failed the people of Sarawak in its decision to support Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the new Prime Minister to lead Malaysia, says DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Chong of Democratic Action Party (DAP) has described Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s remarks yesterday that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) “will leave it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide” as a pathetic attempt to pull wools over Sarawakians’ eye by giving a misperception that the GPS did not support Ismail Sabri as their choice of prime minister candidate which they actually did.
“All doubts created by Abang Jo’s statement is quickly put to rest when the Palace invited 114 members of parliament (MPs) to the Palace today to reconfirm their support for Ismail Sabri as Prime Minister candidate,” he criticised in a statement today.
Noting that the 114 lawmakers summoned to the Palace for an audience with the King surely include the 18 GPS MPs, Chong called on GPS not to use the name of the King to ward off the criticisms against Sarawak ruling coalition for choosing Ismail Sabri as the Prime Minister.
Chong, who is Stampin MP, observed that Ismail Sabri has over the past one year, proven to be a failure in the combat against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“He was the person in charge of the control of the Covid-19 pandemic under the Emergency Order and yet new infection rate and death rate increased tremendously under his charge.
“Despite his failure in controlling the spread of the Covid-19, he was first promoted as the Deputy Prime Minister on July 7, 2021 and now with the support of GPS, he will be appointed as the Prime Minister,” he said while listing out how GPS has wronged the nation and Sarawak.
Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman, further pointed out that by supporting Ismail Sabri, GPS has effectively enabled Umno to re-take the premier position.
“Umno was the main political party which has systematically eroded the rights and special position of Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia. It was removed from the top post in Malaysia via the voters in the 2018 General Elections.
“Yet, now, with the support of GPS, Umno is now returned the Prime Minister post,” he said.
By supporting Ismail Sabri over former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Safiee Apdal as the Prime Minister candidate, Chong said GPS have literally deprived an East Malaysian the chance to be the Prime Minister.
“This is a great disservice to the people of both the Borneo states and also a setback to our common struggle for greater autonomy for the two States,” he pressed. — DayakDaily
