“Frogging” not Sarawak’s political culture, says Abang Jo

Abang Johari and MBKS mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng visiting the pictorial gallery after the ceremony at MBKS headquarters in Kuching today (Aug 1, 2020).

By Ling Hui

KUCHING, August 1: Unlike Sabah, Sarawak does not have the culture of political “frogging” among its ruling elites, said Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“We ‘sik lompat’ (we don’t jump parties here in Sarawak),” he said at a press conference after officiating the Kuching City Day’s 32nd anniversary at Kuching South City Council (MBKS) headquarters here today.


Abang Johari was commenting on the current political impasse in Sabah whereby the ruling Warisan-led government succumbed to political pressure due to many of its elected representatives who jumped over to join former Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman’s camp.

As the tussle for power peaked up, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal refused to give in to Musa, who claimed of having a simple majority that would allow him to be appointed as the chief minister.

Subsequently, Shafie refused to give up power and instead announced the dissolution of Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

Sabah will have its snap election after its DUN has informed the Election Commission of the collapse of the Warisan-led government.

On a related issue, Abang Johari who is also chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) declined to comment on whether GPS will be joining Muafakat Nasional (MN).

Currently, MN consists of Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS. The present BN comprises UMNO, MCA and MIC.

“My mind is on Covid-19 now. We have to look after this Covid-19 because it’s serious. Kuching is a red zone now, so my mind is not there,” he said.

Nevertheless, Abang Johari reiterated that GPS will continue to support Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the federal level.

“GPS is GPS. GPS supports the federal government, so it’s called PN Plus GPS (federal government),” he added.-DayakDaily