KUCHING, March 30: For once, Sarawak DAP and Sarawak’s ruling coalition GPS see eye-to-eye, agreeing that they do not have chemistry.
Michael Kong, a special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, today agreed with a statement by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang that there was a lack of chemistry between both parties.
“Idris Buang is right to say that DAP does not share the same chemistry with GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak). With both parties’ belief being on the opposite ends of the spectrum, naturally, it is hard for these parties to come together.
“This was realised by DAP Sarawak last year when (former Prime Minister) Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) resigned abruptly. In order to try to bring political stability and maintain the people’s mandate, an olive branch was extended to GPS to work together for a better Malaysia.
“It was not a plea for convenience or due to DAP’s desire to hold onto power, but because DAP Sarawak saw fit that there were better things to do at that time such as focusing all efforts to contain Covid-19 which our then-Minister of Health, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had done spectacularly,” said Kong in a press statement today.
He said following GPS’ outright refusal, DAP Sarawak saw “how narrow-minded they (GPS) are towards the change that this nation needs”.
Kong alleged that instead of working towards new policies and removing the toxicity that is so embedded within the Malaysian system, GPS chose to work with United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas).
“Even today, Idris Buang is openly admitting that they are fine to collaborate with these Malay-centric and backward parties. Umno and Pas are the two parties openly advocating for Syariah law within Malaysia and yet GPS is supportive of it,” Kong added.
He opined that this has left Sarawak, her rich culture and her people at the mercy of racial politics.
“Even Nazir Razak, the brother to our former prime minister, has come out to say that such old ways of doing things are no longer tenable in today’s Malaysia. As rightly pointed out, these allow for dysfunctional politics and growing divisions within communities.
“Sadly, GPS has shown its true colours to the people of Sarawak. It is time for us to show them the boot. We need new leaders who want to take this challenge to implement new political, economic and social systems,” said Kong.
Yesterday, Idris who is also the Muara Tuang assemblyman said there was no possibility of working with DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) due to lack of “chemistry”.
Apart from these three parties, Idris said GPS can work with any other parties that are friendly with the coalition. — DayakDaily
