KUCHING, Sept 8: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah does not see Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) joining Pakatan Harapan (PH) as he personally believes the ruling local alliance would be able to serve Sarawakians better on its own.
“The way I see it, it would be better for Sarawak to be led by Sarawak-based parties. No, I don’t think GPS will join the PH federal Government.
“But I can’t predict the future because anything can happen in politics as it is volatile and fluid,” he told DayakDaily after Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the latter’s residence here today.
However, Abdul Karim, who is also a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president, stressed that GPS would work closely with the PH federal government for the benefit of the people.
“We have stated right from the start that we (GPS) will work closely with the federal government. So, with small efforts like this, both the state government and the federal government will fill up the bonding and it will make things easier if there is any problem.
“The close bonding has smoothen the working relationship between the federal and the state governments,” Abdul Karim pointed out.
Earlier, when asked to comment on his visit, Anwar said the people’s interests should be above politics.
“It’s just a general discussion and just a working visit for the interests of the people,” he said.
Abang Johari also said it was just a casual visit by Anwar.
“Yes, of course we are working for the people’s interests,” he quipped.
Also present at the Chief Minister’s residence were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol. — DayakDaily
