By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Aug 19: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has affirmed its decision to support United Malays National Organisation (Umno) vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the ninth prime minister during an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah this morning.
GPS chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof disclosed that all 18 GPS Members of Parliament (MPs) have completed their audience with the King this morning.
He said Al-Sultan Abdullah had called them up to verify the authentication of the statutory declaration (SD) which they had submitted for their chosen candidate for the ninth prime minister yesterday.
“The YDPA has called us to verify the contents of the SDs and whether the SDs were done willingly.
“We (GPS) have confirmed that we have chosen the candidate for the prime minister and it was done willingly from each of the MPs,” he told reporters today.
Fadillah added there were 17 MPs from GPS and one independent MP, Jugah Muyang (Lubok Antu) who had an audience with His Majesty virtually here this morning.
They were Fadillah himself who is Petra Jaya MP, Santubong MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Batang Sadong MP Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, Mukah MP Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat, Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang, Igan MP Ahmad Johnie Zawawi, Tanjong Manis MP Yusuf Abd Wahab, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, Baram MP Anyi Ngau.
Another GPS MP, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who is Bintulu MP also sought an audience with the King himself in Kuala Lumpur.
Fadillah added that GPS has nominated the candidate for the ninth prime minister and the final decision will be announced by His Majesty in due course.
Meanwhile, a total of 114 MPs from GPS, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), United Malays National Organisation (Umno), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Sabah (Star), Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas) and independent MPs were summoned by the King today to verify their stand on nominating Ismail Sabri as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia. — DayakDaily
